1. Anna Bhagya scheme: Centre categorically refuses to sell rice to Karnataka, delaying launch date
The Centre on June 23 categorically refused to supply rice to Karnataka for its flagship Anna Bhagya scheme. The Centre’s decision was conveyed to Karnataka’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa by Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi. This makes it certain that the launch of the scheme, slated for July 1, will not only be delayed but also inflate the government’s calculation of its cost.
The Anna Bhagya scheme, which will require about 2.29 lakh metric tonnes of additional rice per month, is likely to cost the Congress government about ₹10,000 crore. The Food Corporation of India (FCI), which had initially agreed to supply the quantity, later rescinded its decision, forcing the State to look for other sources. While FCI could supply rice at ₹36.60 per kg, including ₹2.60 transportation cost, procurement of rice from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Punjab is estimated to be higher than the FCI cost.
