Karnataka plans to include 2 kg of ragi and jowar — instead of rice — under the scheme in the southern and northern Karnataka, respectively.
File photo of Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa. (KhMuniyappa/Facebook)
Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa said on Friday, 30 June, said the state government was all set to roll out the Anna Bhagya scheme on Saturday, as promised.
The rollout of the scheme — one of the five “guarantees” that helped the Congress win the Karnataka Assembly elections last month — will be marked by the crediting of money to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice promised to every member of a BPL household, he added.
The money was being given instead of rice because sufficient quantities of the foodgrain were unavailable, he noted.
Facing difficulty in procuring large quantities of rice required to fulfil its poll guarantee, the state government on Wednesday decided to pay cash into the beneficiaries’ accounts at the rate of ₹34 per kg for the additional 5kg of rice under this free rice scheme.
Now, there may be plans to supply other foodgrains instead of rice.
The minister also said that of the total additional 5 kg, the government planned to include 2 kg of ragi (finger millet) and jowar (sorghum) — instead of rice — under the scheme in the southern and northern parts of Karnataka respectively, as per requirement.
This was because these grains were considered a staple in these two regions, he said.
There is adequate stock of ragi available, while the stock of jowar is low, so the state will supply as much as it can, said the minister, adding that it will provide a full 5 kg of rice after that.
“We will get information about the beneficiaries and, based on their inputs in the days to come, if there is demand for more quantities of ragi and jowar from southern and northern parts of Karnataka, respectively, changes will be made in the quantity,” said Muniyappa.
He added that the government would procure the required quantities of ragi and jowar directly from the farmers at MSP rates and stock them.
Reiterating that the Anna Bhagya scheme would be rolled out from Saturday, the minister said: “To pay to the bank accounts (of beneficiaries), we have information that 99 percent of them have the accounts. Those without an account but with ration cards will have to open a bank account. We have said we will pay ₹34 per kg, and each person will get (cash for) 5 kg.”
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the amount would be paid into the bank account of the beneficiaries until there were enough grains to be distributed.
“The process is on for the purchase of rice, as we said we would supply rice or foodgrains to the poor…” he noted. “To keep up the promise, we are giving money for now.”
Muniyappa once again slammed the Union government for what the Congress has long deemed creating obstacles in the path of the implementation of its schemes, especially Anna Bhagya.
“If the Centre had given rice from the stocks available, for cash payment, the state government would have supplied it from tomorrow,” he said, adding, “Our month-long efforts in getting rice despite approaching central ministers and officials have failed.”
It may be noted that a week ago Muniyappa approached Union Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Minister Piyush Goyal in person in Delhi and asked for rice to be supplied to Karnataka.
However, he told reporters after the meeting: “I came hoping that the Union minister might ensure the supply of rice to Karnataka, but he did not respond.”
He added: “The Union minister made it clear that they [the Union government] will not be able to supply rice to Karnataka. Despite having enough stock and being assured of payment for the rice as fixed by the FCI [Food Corporation of India], he did not agree to provide rice to Karnataka.”
Subsequently, the Karnataka government turned to other ways, including different states and the tender system, to try and procure rice for the scheme.
“There are issues (in procuring rice). We have to issue a public tender. It has not been finalised. Also, what kind of rice? We will decide on it and start giving rice as soon as possible,” he said on Friday.
Asked how long the government would pay the amount to the account of the beneficiaries instead of supplying rice or foodgrains, the minister said, “I cannot give you a date for now, but I assure you that we will give rice as soon as possible. Giving money is a temporary arrangement.”
On whether cash would be credited to the bank accounts from Saturday itself, he said, “The money is ready. We have information about accounts. It will begin from tomorrow.”
(With PTI inputs)
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