JOIN USEnsure scheme rice is not misused: Rai
District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai has called upon the citizens to ensure that rice distributed through PDS at Re 1 /kg is not misused.
Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Anna Bhagya Yojane,’ flagship programme of the Congress-led State government here on Wednesday, he said the government officials along with the citizens should work in coordination to ensure that the programme reaches out to real beneficiaries.
With the president giving assent to national food security ordinance, it will expand the scope of PDS in the country, wherein two third of the population will get rice per month at highly subsidised rates. With this, the State governments can roll out the right to food law and also to identify the beneficiaries. The Congress-led government in the country has introduced several beneficiary programmes like mid-day meals to increase enrolment ratio, MGNREGA which aimed at providing 100 days work for labourers and so on.
Rai said that by distributing rice at Re 1/kg, the Congress government has fulfilled one of its promises made in the election manifesto.
MLA J R Lobo said that the State government was committed to fulfil the election manifesto, inspite of the State government’s incurring additional burden by distributing rice at Re 1/kg. Distribution of rice is a way to ensure social justice and see that poor get at least one square meal a day. There is no politics involved in distributing rice. Any loopholes in the system will affect the poor.
Total beneficiaries
A total of 1,79,293 beneficiaries will be benefited from Anna Bhagya scheme in Dakshina Kannada district. This includes Mangalore non rationed area—21,144 families, TMC and town panchayat limits—13,872, rural areas—1,44,277 families. This also includes about 21,307 Anthyodaya card holders.
A card with one member will get 10 kilograms of rice; with two members will get 20 kg; and card with three or more members will get 30 kg of rice.
There are 2,780 cards with one member, 10,068 cards with two members and 1,45,036 cards with more than three members. The rice has been stocked at the two godowns of Food Corporation of India, five godowns of Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, and three Taluk Agriculture Marketing Committee godowns in the district. Fair Price Shop owners have been asked to take from godowns the quantity required for distribution.
Beneficiary speaks
Janaki, a beneficiary from Mulihithlu said, “there are 10 members in my family. I work as domestic help to eke out living. We were getting 20 kg rice through PDS in the past. We were purchasing additional 20 kg rice. Now, distribution of rice at Re 1/kg will benefit our family. At the same time, we will get 30 kg rice in a month.”
MLA Mohiyuddin Bava, Deputy Commissioner N Prakash, ZP CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash were present.