Siddaramaiah Cabinet decides to pay money towards additional 5 kg rice to Anna Bhagya beneficiaries

BENGALURU: With the government not finding adequate stocks of rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme, the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, which met on Wednesday, decided to put a stop to all criticism by giving money to the beneficiaries instead of the additional 5 kg of rice until it procures rice stocks.

After a prolonged Cabinet meeting, Ministers H K Patil and K H Muniyappa held a joint press conference and announced the important decisions taken regarding ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme.

As the government is not able to launch the Anna Bhagya scheme from July 1, Food and Civil Cupplies Minister K H Muniyappa announced that many ministers suggested that money be paid instead of the additional rice till such time more stocks of rice can be arranged. “We will pay the beneficiaries towards the additional 5 kg of rice until we get stocks. We will give rice as soon as possible, but for now, we will pay for it. It is estimated cost Rs 750-Rs 800 crore per month and we will deposit the money in the bank account of the head of the family”.

He also said, about 90 per cent of ration card holders have bank accounts which are linked with Aadhaar and hence payments can be made directly to  their accounts.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the Cabinet discussed 15 issues of which four were related to the Lokayukta. The Cabinet has decided to extend the contract service of two Additional Commissioners of the Lokayukta for a period of one year”, he said.