Karnataka Congress Government's Anna Bhagya Scheme Hits Roadblock As Centre Halts Rice, Wheat Sale By FCI To States

The Karnataka Congress government's efforts to implement its second assurance programme, the Anna Bhagya schema, have been dealt a severe setback.

This programme aimed to provide 10 kg of food grains to every below-poverty-line (BPL) family in the state every month.

The Union government has put a stop to the sale of wheat and rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouses to state governments.

In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP government at the Centre of making a "political decision" that is preventing the Karnataka government from providing staple foods to the poor.

Siddaramaiah said, “The Central government is trying to scuttle (the scheme).”

He added that his administration had requested 2.28 lakh metric tonnes of food grains from the FCI to fulfill their pledge under the Anna Bhagya programme.

On 12 June, the FCI sent two letters assuring the delivery of around 2.22 lakh MT of food grains to be used for the Anna Bhagya scheme.

However, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution issued a directive on the next day halting the sale of rice and wheat from FCI stocks.

The directive made exceptions for the North East, hilly states, and states that are experiencing law and order issues or natural disasters.

The Food Ministry told the Indian Express that excluding state government schemes from the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS-D) was part of the steps to check prices while ensuring adequate stock levels in the Central pool. The Ministry stated that this action was taken to control inflationary trends.

Siddaramaiah claimed that despite sitting on rice stocks of 7 lakh tonnes, the Centre was stopping the FCI sale to states. Karnataka is mostly looking at the purchase of rice from the FCI, not much wheat.

The Karnataka Chief Minister said that the state government has reached out to rice-cultivating states and agencies providing rice to ensure the rollout of the Anna Bhagya scheme from 1 July.

“We will try to provide grains irrespective of the extent of the conspiracy… The Government of India will be responsible (for any delay),” he said.

One of the guarantees made by the Congress during the assembly polls was the Anna Bhagya scheme.

The party also promised four other plans, including a scheme called "Shakti" that provides free bus travel for women, effective 11 June.

Another scheme, known as Yuva Nidhi, assures unemployment allowances for young people from 1 July.

The final two programmes, the Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi schemes will be launched in August, offering Rs 2,000 for the female head of the household every month and free power up to 200 units, respectively.