In the run-up to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Polls, Congress had announced five ‘guarantees’ including the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Published Sep 01, 2024 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 01, 2024 | 3:00 PM
Fortified rice. (iStock)
Putting an end to a 12-month logjam, the Karnataka government and the Union government appear to have resolved their differences as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has now agreed to supply rice to the state for the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Distribution Pralhad Joshi confirmed to the media recently that the Centre had agreed to supply rice from FCI under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to Karnataka.
In the run-up to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Polls, the state unit of the Indian National Congress announced five ‘guarantees’, among which was the Anna Bhagya scheme, promising 10 kg of rice free to people Below Poverty Line and Antyodaya card holders under the Public Distribution Scheme. The promise was to provide 5 kg rice over and above 5 kgs distributed to BPL card holders under existing scheme.
The scheme was first introduced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his earlier tenure as CM from 2013-18 when seven kg of rice was supplied to beneficiaries.
Just as the state government was gearing up to start the scheme in 2023, however, the Centre made a drastic change under the OMSS, slashing the maximum quantity that a single bidder could purchase under a bid from the earlier 3000 metric tonnes (MT) to 10-100 MT.
The state government arranged meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Piyush Goyal, but the issue could not be resolved.
Despite the problem with getting rice supplies, the state government went ahead and implemented the Anna Bhagya scheme – instead of rice, beneficiaries were provided money to buy food grains from the market each month. ₹170 was provided instead of rice. (At ₹34 per kg, it was expected that beneficiaries would be able to buy five kgs of rice).
After over a year, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has resumed the supply of rice to Karnataka, reversing the decision to discontinue supplies to states under the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) norms.
Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi, who is also Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Distribution, updated the media about this development on 20 August.
“The Centre will supply the required quantity of rice soon after the state places an order (with FCI). The rice will be supplied under the OMSS,” the Union minister had told reporters. “The Union government could not supply rice last year due to severe drought across the country and deteriorating stocks. We have sufficient stock now and reduced the price from ₹29 per kg to ₹28 per kg,” stated Joshi.
At present, the state needs at least 2.35 lakh tonnes of rice every month to supply to over 1.15 crore registered beneficiaries under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
State Minister for Food and Civil Supplies KH Muniyappa said the Union government had agreed to supply sufficient rice for the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme; even so, the state will take a final call on the matter after making a proper assessment, he said.
“The FCI has agreed to supply rice to the state under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). We are considering it,” he told South First. He explained that an estimate of the total quantity of rice required each month under the scheme is being made, and a decision will be taken.
“I am travelling to Delhi next week to discuss the matter with the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Thereafter, we will take a call on issuing rice to beneficiaries of Anna Bhagya scheme,” he said, when asked about when the rice will be distributed.
Asked if the cash transfer could continue, instead of the supply of rice, he said, “The government will evaluate feasibility and other costs, to consider whether cash transfer must continue.” He explained that besides rice, beneficiaries seek also pulses, cooking oil and other grocery items under the PDS. “We are thinking about reintroducing pulses and cooking oil. These decisions are still to be made,” he said.
He explained that the government is also verifying data and weeding out false BPL card holders. Whatever is best for the beneficiaries will be done, he said.
Many beneficiaries of the scheme that South First contacted expressed an interest in receiving rice, not cash, under the scheme. The Anna Bhagya scheme covers Below Poverty Line and Antyodaya card holders.
Umesh Kambar from Mudhol who benefits from the scheme told South First, “I have been receiving below p170 each month, instead of five kg rice. The government must start supplying rice instead of crediting money into our accounts. If we can actually get 10 kg a month, we would be ensured full meals each day. Money in the account could be used up for other things.”
Babugouda Patil, another beneficiary under this scheme in Gadag said, “The centre is providing only three kg rice, instead of five. The state government must resume providing 10 kg rice. The price of rice of a reasonable quality is ₹42 to ₹60 per kg in the market.”
He explained that ₹170 does not cover the cost of five kg of rice. “We use the credited amount for other purposes; it does not cover the cost of rice. The government must provide rice under the PDS,” he said. The state government stated that 1,15, 37, 174 people are covered under the Anna Bhagya scheme, and ₹840 crore is spent on the implementation of this scheme each month.
