Unable to procure enough rice in the market at a reasonable cost in time to meet the needs of its new Anna Bhagya scheme, the Karnataka Government on Wednesday decided to temporarily give ₹170 per person per month from July 1 in lieu of the promised five kg of free rice. The launch of the scheme is slated for July 1.
In its poll manifesto, the Congress had promised to distribute 5 kg of free rice to each member of families holding BPL (below poverty line) and Antyodaya cards, over and above the 5 kg given under the National Food Security Act. An estimated 2.29 lakh metric tonnes of rice is needed every month to supply 5 kg free to the 4.42 crore family members of the 1.19 crore BPL and Antyodaya cardholders in Karnataka, which the Food Corporation of India (FCI) refused to sell to the State.
The Karnataka Cabinet finally decided to provide cash in lieu of rice after holding elaborate discussions on the implementation of the scheme, cost and availability.
