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Karnataka's Anna Bhagya Shift: Why Grocery Kits May Replace Extra Rice

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar revealed the government is considering replacing the additional 5kg rice under Anna Bhagya with grocery kits. This decision comes after surveys showed rice was being misused and sold in open markets. The proposed Indira kit would include essential items like oil, lentils, sugar and salt instead of extra rice. The government claims this change better aligns with actual consumption patterns of 5-6kg per person monthly.

Key Points: Shivakumar Considers Grocery Kits Instead of Anna Bhagya Rice

  • Government survey revealed rice being sold in open market instead of consumed
  • New Indira kit includes oil, lentils, sugar and essential items
  • Decision based on discussions with MLAs and consumption patterns
  • Average person uses only 5-6 kg rice monthly according to findings
2 min read

Thinking of giving grocery kit instead of additional 5 kg rice under Anna Bhagya: Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar

Karnataka government may replace additional 5kg rice with essential grocery kits to prevent misuse, naming it Indira kit after survey findings.

"The additional 5 kg of rice given under Anna Bhagya is being misused. To prevent it, the government is considering providing a grocery kit - DK Shivakumar"

Bengaluru, October 16

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Thursday that the government is considering providing a grocery kit instead of the additional 5 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme to prevent the misuse of rice.

"The additional 5 kg of rice given under Anna Bhagya is being misused. To prevent it, the government is considering providing a grocery kit that includes oil, lentils, sugar, salt, and other essential items. The kit will be named the Indira kit," he said while speaking at the World Food Day event at Vidhana Soudha.

"We had promised to issue an additional 5 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme in lieu of the cash component. Looking at the rising incidence of selling additional rice in the open market, the government has taken a decision to give grocery kits," he added.

"We have not taken this decision under any pressure from any quarter. This decision has been arrived at based on a survey and discussions with MLAs. On average, a person uses 5-6 kgs of rice in a month. Hence, we have decided to issue grocery kits. This historic decision has been taken under the leadership of CM Siddaramaiah and Minister K H Muniyappa," he added.

The Congress party has been giving food security to people since the days of Nehru. Indira Gandhi and Devaraj Urs distributed land to the tillers, and the poor received ration cards. SM Krishna introduced the mid-day meal scheme. Siddaramaiah launched the Anna Bhagya scheme on the day of assumed office. No one can stop these welfare programmes," he said.

"When the prices of essential items, including gas cylinders, shot up, our government introduced the guarantee scheme. Our government is spending Rs 53,000 crore every year on this. The BJP leaders, including the PM, criticised our guarantee schemes, but they have copied these schemes in many other states," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
But what about families who actually need the extra rice? Not everyone misuses the scheme. The government should have better monitoring instead of changing the entire system.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works with rural communities, I've seen how essential items like oil and lentils are often more expensive than rice. This could be more beneficial for balanced nutrition.
A
Arjun K
The government should ensure the quality of items in the grocery kit. Sometimes these kits contain substandard products. Proper quality control is must! 🛒
M
Meera T
Why name it Indira kit? Can't we have schemes without political branding? The focus should be on helping people, not scoring political points.
V
Vikram M
Good decision! Many poor families struggle to buy dal and oil. Rice alone doesn't make a complete meal. This will help in providing balanced nutrition to the needy.

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