Karnataka launches Re 1 rice scheme
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Bengaluru: Amid voices of dissent even within the ruling party over the viability of such a cripplingly expensive scheme and criticism by Opposition parties that it would turn a labour force into lazy layabouts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fulfilled a poll-eve promise of providing rice at Rs 1 a kg to almost 1,00,00,000 families with the launch of “Anna Bhagya” on Wednesday.
“Karnataka has the highest number of poor people among southern states, but no citizen in the state will go to bed hungry,” Siddaramaiah promised to loud cheers.
The scheme will cost the state exchequer Rs 4,200 crore a year, but Mr Siddaramaiah who announced it hours after taking oath on May 13, defended it saying his vision was to ensure “a state free of hunger.” The launch itself was postponed twice as the government could not build up adequate stocks of rice through May and June.The government procured rice from Chhattisgarh at Rs. 22.90 a kg for the benefit of 86.89 lakh BPL (below poverty line) and 11.17 lakh “Anthyodaya Anna Yojane” card holders.
The Chief Minister went one step further and made public the government’s intentions to provide 150 ML milk thrice a week to school students.
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