Mangalore/Udupi: 'Anna Bhagya' scheme launched: Ministers distribute rice at Re 1
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Umesh Marpalli / Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore/Udupi, Jul 10: ‘Anna Bhagya’, an ambitious scheme announced by the Congress government in its election manifesto, provinding rice at Re 1 per kg for below poverty line (BPL) families in the state, was launched in the district by district in-charge minister B Ramanth Rai at Town Hall here on Wednesday July 10.
The scheme was launched across the state simultaneously on the same day. While chief minister Siddaramaiah launched the scheme in Bangalore, the ministers launched it in their respective districts.
Under this scheme, families holding BPL cards will get between 10-30 kg rice per month at Re 1 a kg. One-member family can buy up to 10 kg, two-member family 20 kg and family with three and more members can get 30 kg of rice.
To mark the formal launch, minister Rai distributed rice to around 30 families. The programme was presided over by MLA J R Lobo while MLA Mohiuddin Bava, deputy commissioner N Prakash, ZP CEO K N Vijayprakash shared the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Rai expressed his happiness on the launch of the scheme and said, "One of the important promises made by the Congress government in its manifesto, that is rice at Re 1 per kg, has been fulfilled. The decision was taken by the government in its first cabinet meeting.
"There are various major projects undertaken by the government to support to weaker sections. In our country, rice is distributed to poor people at Rs 3, but our state has moved a little ahead by distributing it for Re 1."
He further said, "During former chief minister S M Krishna’s regime, ‘Akshara Dasoha’, a major programme was launched through which literacy rate increased. It is only through education that we can develop the society."
"The ‘Anna Bhagya’ programme is a milestone in the history of Karnataka. I hope that it will be useful to the poor. It is the duty of all people to ensure that this scheme is not misused," he added.
MLA J R Lobo in his presidential address said, "Giving rice at Re 1 was a difficult task for the government as it had to meet the challenges of collecting the rice stock and more importantly, this scheme will put a burden of Rs 4,000-plus crore on the government."
"Even though the financial condition of the state is not that great, the state government has taken a big decision for the welfare of the poor. It is the duty of each one of us to thank the chief minister and his team for undertaking this big work," he said.
Lauding this scheme as a good step to wipe the tears of poor people, Lobo said there was no politics behind it and it was mainly implemented for the betterment of the society. He wished this scheme runs smoothly without any problem.
"The central government is also planning to enact Food Security Bill. If that is implemented, there is a possibility that this scheme may stop, or it may even continue," added Lobo.
In Udupi district, minister Vinay Kumar Sorake launched the scheme and distributed rice bags to deserving families at Kaup Veerabhadra Sabhabhavan and Kundapur taluk office. He also inaugurated the scheme at Byndoor and Karkala.
"This scheme is one of the most important promises made by the Congress in its manifesto. This scheme is purely meant for the poor. Through the implementation of this scheme, the state government wants to tell the people that it is with the poor. Nobody should go hungry from this date onwards," Sorake said.
The scheme will cost Rs 2.32 crore to the goverment in Udupi district. Also, 6 kg of wheat will be given at Rs 2 per month, he added.
"The scheme should reach those who cannot afford three meals a day," he said, urging officials to work towards its success. In the coming days, schemes will be launched for the welfare of APL families too, he assured.
There are one lac BPL families in Udupi district and 87 lac in the state.
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