Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to launch the Direct Benefit Transfer program under the Anna Bhagya scheme on Monday. This initiative aims to provide assistance to approximately 1.06 crore ration card holders in the state, while a temporary exclusion affects several lakh others. Unfortunately, around 22 lakh families living Below Poverty Line may not receive immediate assistance due to the lack of bank accounts. Currently, 99% of the 1.28 crore ration cards of Antyodaya Anna Yojana and Priority Households are linked to active bank accounts. The cash will be transferred directly to these card holders, while the remaining card holders will be informed to open new accounts, as stated in an official statement released on Sunday. Read More Business News on our website.
The Chief Minister, along with his deputy DK Shivakumar, will commence the drive at 5 pm tomorrow. Additionally, a state minister mentioned on Sunday that all the funds would be transferred to the beneficiaries’ accounts within 15 days. The scheme has a total of 4.41 crore beneficiaries in the state.
During their election campaign, the Congress party had promised to provide five additional kilograms of rice to eligible families, in addition to the 5 kg already received from the central government. However, due to inadequate rice supply, the state government has decided to offer a cash alternative of ₹34 per kg in place of the additional rice. Karnataka attempted to procure rice from the central government but was unsuccessful. They also approached Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other states, but the rates offered were high. Therefore, the cash alternative will remain in effect until rice becomes available.
In conclusion, the launch of the Direct Benefit Transfer program under the Anna Bhagya scheme in Karnataka is expected to benefit a significant number of ration card holders in the state. While the exclusion of some families without bank accounts poses a temporary challenge, efforts are being made to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the cash assistance.
The state government’s decision to offer a cash alternative for the promised additional rice highlights the challenges faced in procuring an adequate rice supply. Despite these obstacles, the government remains committed to providing support to the vulnerable population until a solution for the rice shortage is found. The implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer program signifies a step towards ensuring efficient and transparent distribution of benefits to those in need, and it will be instrumental in improving the livelihoods of numerous households in Karnataka.