The Congress’ bid to implement the ‘Anna Bhagya’ freebie scheme has gone through a lot of hurdles since it announced the scheme as a pre-poll promise. After failing to procure rice from multiple sources, the Karnataka Cabinet in June 28th’s meeting came to a decision that has altered implementation of the scheme.
The Government has now opted for a cash-based approach instead of the provision of rice to beneficiaries, marking a desperate shift towards sustaining their pre-election commitment. This move comes into effect while the State Government actively seeks alternative sources for rice procurement.
Under the system decided upon, funds will be transferred directly to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders, aligning with the prevailing market price of five kilograms of rice. This freebie is estimated to siphon off approximately Rs. 750-800 Crore from the Government’s coffers on a monthly basis.
To ensure efficient distribution, the designated cash amount will be disbursed to the head of the BPL cardholder’s family. Consequently, each individual cardholder will receive a monthly sum of Rs. 170. The decision to adopt this approach was prompted by the Government’s commitment to fulfill the promise of implementing the scheme on July 1. This arrangement will continue until the State Government successfully procures rice from alternative sources.
Initially, the State Government had approached the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for rice supplies. However, their request was denied, leading to efforts by the Congress Government in Karnataka to seek assistance from central agencies like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) in acquiring the required rice quantities.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed disappointment with the Central Government’s refusal to provide rice, despite the State Government’s willingness to pay the market price. This refusal is perceived as an obstruction to the implementation of their scheme. In the meanwhile, it is also seen as the Congress trying to ride on the Central Government’s back for the overpromise and under-delivery of the former in the state.
Consequently, the Government has made the decision to substitute rice with direct monetary assistance. For households classified as Below Poverty Line with four members, each individual will receive Rs. 170.
It is worth noting that the original promise made by the Congress party encompassed a provision of 10 kilograms of rice, excluding the five kilograms already given by the Central Government. The promised amount of 10 kilograms has now reduced to five kilograms after the freebie promises won Congress a state.
Due to the State Government’s inability to procure the remaining quantity of rice before the specified deadline, the decision was made to transfer funds directly to BPL cardholders as an alternative solution.
It appears that the rice politics has given Congress a reality check. The costs of the unrealistic and ambitious pre-poll promises are slowly rearing its head to haunt the state in the name of Anna (rice).