Cash transfer to the beneficiaries of the Anna Bhagya scheme in lieu of free 5 kg rice to be provided under it, announced after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, is likely to continue for about three months since enough stock of rice has to be built before the supply to the PDS can be started. The cash transfer will also bring down the cost of Anna Bhagya implementation by an estimated 5% to 10%.
Food and Civil Supplies Department sources said the process of stocking the rice would take at least a couple of months, and more than the tendering process, time has to be given to the supplier to supply the required quantum of rice. “The government has put in place a plan for the three-month period.”
Karnataka requires 2.29 lakh tonnes of rice a month to support the scheme which provides for an additional 5 kg of free rice each member of BPL families and Antyodaya card holders.
