JOIN US3,398 quintals of Anna Bhagya rice seized till now
Ever since the State government introduced ‘Anna Bhagya’ rice scheme in June 2013, as many as 3,398 quintals of rice has been seized from illegal hoarding in the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home district Mysuru.
According to the information available with the office of Senior Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies department, the illegal activities related to ‘Anna Bhagya’ rice started soon after its implementation. Under the scheme, the government is supplying 30 kg of rice at re one per kg every month to the below poverty line (BPL) card holders. It was the flagship scheme of the government that was launched soon after the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah assumed power in the State.
In the year of its implementation alone, in a joint operation by the department and police, as many as 1,405 quintals of such rice were seized in 10 cases. In 12 other cases, other types of food grains meant for distribution under the public distribution system (PDS) were seized. The number of cases doubled in the following year to 20, where 1,993 quintals of rice was seized. Most number of the cases have been reported from Mysuru city and taluk centres alone.
Apart from rice, the cases of illegal transportation and stocking of wheat, LPG cylinders, ragi, kerosene and sugar are also being reported. In some cases, criminal cases are booked against the perpetrators, while most of the cases are booked under essential commodities Act. The cases are tried in regular courts and also the magistrate court (deputy commissioner’s court). If the accused holds the licence to run ration shops, licence will be revoked only to send a warning to others.