Days after drawing flak over his "ripped jeans" comment, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has stoked another controversy on Sunday during his speech at a programme in Nainital's Ramnagar, saying people should have produced more children to get extra ration during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Uttarakhand CM said every affected household was given 5 kg of ration per member referring to the distribution of food grain during the pandemic.
"Those having 10 children got 50 kg while those with 20 got one quintal. People with two children got 10 kg. People built stores and found buyers," Mr Rawat said, adding that he never ate such fine rice.
"Who is to blame for this, now you are jealous of it. When there was time, you produced only two. Why didn't you produce 20," Mr Rawat said.
In a goof-up during the speech, the chief minister has also apparently confused Britain with the U.S saying America ruled over India for over 200 years.
"As opposed to other countries, India is doing better in terms of handling the COVID-19 crisis. America, which enslaved us for 200 years and ruled the world, is struggling in current times," he said.
On the other hand, due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India with a population of 130–135 crore people still feels relieved, he said.
Reacting to the remarks, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala taunted the BJP over its selection of Mr. Rawat as the Uttarakhand CM.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Surjewala said he picks such "learned talent". He also mocked Mr. Rawat's statement that the U.S. ruled over India for 200 years.
Recently, Mr. Rawat had faced flak after he said that women are setting a "bad example" for society and leading to substance abuse by wearing ripped jeans during an anti-substance abuse workshop organised by the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in Dehradun on Tuesday.