Karnataka To Provide Cash Instead Of 5Kg Additional Rice To BPL Families Under 'Anna Bhagya' Scheme

The Congress, in its poll manifesto, had promised to give an additional 5kg rice every month along with five kilogram given by the Centre for free.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced that it will give cash to the BPL families instead of rice till the foodgrain is procured, news agency PTI reported. The Congress had promised to provide 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household if voted to power in the southern state. However, the Siddaramaiah-led government decided to provide Rs 34 per kilogram of rice for the time being.

“The Karnataka government has decided to give cash instead of 5kg additional rice to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. We had announced (in poll manifesto) that we will give rice. But for the time being, instead of rice, we are giving Rs 34 per kg to BPL card holders," PTI quoted Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa as saying, after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

VIDEO | The Karnataka government has decided to give cash instead of 5kg additional rice to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. "We had announced (in poll manifesto) that we will give rice. But for the time being, instead of rice, we are giving Rs 34 per kg (to BPL card holders),"… pic.twitter.com/0H0rYhfMrr

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It is to be noted that the grand old party, in its poll manifesto, had promised to give an additional five kg rice every month along with five kg given by the Centre for free. The state government said the disbursement of money would start from July 1. However, now the government announced that it would provide Rs 34 per kg for the additional 5kg of the crop under its 'Anna Bhagya' scheme.

“Since the date for launching Anna Bhagya has arrived (July 1) and we had given word, today in the cabinet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other ministers arrived at a decision that till the time the rice is supplied, we will give money at the rate of Rs 34 per kg, which is the FCI rate, to the (BPL) ration card holders,” the minister said.