Never said money towards 5 kg additional rice under Anna Bhagya will be given from July 1, says CM

BENGALURU: While expectations were running high that the government will start the rollout of the Anna Bhagya Scheme from July 1 and start crediting money in lieu of the additional 5 kg rice into the accounts of beneficiaries, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that it was never announced that it will be from July 1.

Speaking to media persons at his official residence, Siddaramaiah said, “We didn’t say Anna Bhagya scheme will be implemented from July 1. We only said we will make payments for July in the same month in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice. But the Gruha Jyothi scheme will come into effect from today and up to 200 units of electricity will be free. The bill for this month will be generated in August”, he said.

When pressed about the money transfer towards the Anna Bhagya scheme, the CM stressed, “It will be from this month itself. Most likely, we will start making payments after July 10 and what is due for the month of July will be paid this month itself”.

To a question on the opposition BJP holding meetings and planning a protest on July 4 to take on the Congress government over implementation of the guarantees, the CM said, “Let them put their house in order first”.

Meanwhile, with just about a week left, the CM is making preparations for presenting the budget. He held a meeting with officials of the Finance Department at the KSFC office in Vasanth Nagar on Saturday to give final touches to the budget.