Union minister Pralhad Joshi urges Karnataka govt to distribute rice instead of cash under 'Anna Bhagya' scheme

Hubballi: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said that Centre has offered to give rice to Karnataka government at the cost of Rs 22.50 per kg, which can allow the state government to distribute rice instead of money.

Earlier, Karnataka government had decided to provide cash at the rate of Rs 34 per kg to beneficiaries under the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme as the state government was facing difficulty in procuring large quantities of rice to fulfill its election promise.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi, Joshi said, "Following the good stock with Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns, Centre has reduced the rice price, the state government can buy the rice for the distribution to meet its Anna Bhagya promise."

Joshi also noted that by giving rice to the card holders, the state government can save Rs 190 crore monthly and Rs 2,280 crore annually.

"Karnataka Food Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister K H Muniyappa had approached the Centre for additional rice, then there was scarcity of rice due to drought. Rice price was Rs 34, later it was reduced to Rs 28 per kg. Now there is good stock with the centre, and we are ready to provide rice to the state government for Rs 22.50 per kg including transportation charges," he added.

Before the assembly election in 2023, the Congress party announced that it would give 10 kg rice, in that five kg rice is being supplied by the centre under the food security scheme.

"Due to rice scarcity, the state government has been giving money to the BPL card holders. Now instead of giving money, the state can give rice and the centre is ready to supply rice," he said.

The Union minister also accused the Karnataka government of implementing many central government programmes "without taking the name of the union government".

“The Svamitva scheme, which is cent percent funded by the centre, is now launched in the state without taking the name of the Prime Minister and union government, which is a shameful act of the state government,” Joshi said.