New Delhi: Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday blamed the media for misquoting him on the Re 1 meal remark saying his comments on the cost of meal have been taken out of context by the media.
"My comments on the cost of a meal in the media have been taken out of context but I realise that what I said may be misconstrued. I regret any hurt this may have caused," said Farooq Abdullah.
Abdullah had claimed that one can have a full meal for just Re 1 if desired. "If you want, you can fill your stomach in Re 1 or Rs 100, depending on what you want to eat. We are working to change the life of the poor so they can eat well be healthy and India can progress," the minister had said.
Abdullah's comment prompted CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat to suggest that such a scheme be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. "If this is correct, then why not implement it in J and K where there is autonomy," Karat said at a press conference when asked to comment on the remarks of Abdullah as also Congress leaders Raj Babbar and Rashid Masood.
Abdullah's party National Conference runs a coalition government in the state with Congress.
Asked whether one could have a hearty meal in five or 12 rupees as suggested by Masood and Babbar, Karat said "this is just impossible in this age of price rise."
He said one can have "cheap and good food" at the canteens run by AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu with government subsidy. AIADMK is a friendly party of the Left. Karat was also critical of the poverty estimates brought out by the government and wondered "how can the poor live on just Rs 27."
"The Congress is trying to project that it is all milk and honey in the country," he added.
(with additional information from PTI)
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