Karnataka to launch food security scheme from July 10

The state govt is gearing to launch 30 kg rice at Re 1 per kg to BPL families, which will cost Rs 4,300 cr to the exchequer

The new Congress government in Karnataka led by Siddaramaiah is gearing up to launch an ambitious programme of providing 30 kg rice every month to all families below the poverty line (BPL), at a subsidised rate of Re 1 a kg from July 10 through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

The cheap rice scheme, which the Congress had promised in its manifesto, would cost the government Rs 4,300 cr a year.

Immediately after taking oath as chief minister on May 13, Siddaramaiah had announced the scheme would be implemented from June 1. The government had to postpone the implementation twice, as it could not source additional rice from the Centre at Rs 5.7 a kg, the rate at which the food ministry supplies rice to the state under the BPL quota.

The new scheme would benefit 97,35,059 families and the government requires 2,77,254 tonnes every month for the scheme.

The Union food ministry rejected the Karnataka government's demand for the supply of an additional 129,254 tonnes at BPL prices. Presently, the state gets 148,000 tonnes every month under the PDS.

"The central government could not meet our demand after agreeing to do so. The supply would be received this month, and we will definitely implement the scheme from July 10," Siddaramaiah had said.