Karnataka revamps Anna Bhagya scheme, adds ‘Indira Kit’ to cut rice misuse

Cabinet approves replacing 10 kg rice with 5 kg rice plus Indira Kit, including dal, sugar, oil, and salt, to benefit 4.48 crore BPL beneficiaries and save Rs 306 crore monthly.

In a strategic revision of the Anna Bhagya scheme, the Karnataka Cabinet has approved a shift from providing 10 kg rice per household to offering 5 kg rice along with an “Indira Kit” containing 1 kg green gram, 1 kg toor dal, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg salt, and 1 kg cooking oil. The decision aims to reduce rice misuse and improve nutritional diversity for BPL families across the state.

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Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa explained that surveys revealed 90% of beneficiaries preferred pulses, sugar, oil, and salt over an additional 5 kg rice. The Cabinet, after consulting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, agreed to implement the Indira Kit alongside rice.

The scheme will cover 1.26 crore BPL families, benefiting a total of 4.48 crore individuals. The provision is family-size based:

•    1-2 members: half the Indira Kit.

•    3-4 members: full Indira Kit.

•    5+ members: one-and-a-half times the kit.

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According to the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the previous 10 kg rice provision cost Rs 6,426 crore annually. The Indira Kit alternative reduces this expenditure to Rs 6,119 crore, saving Rs 306.48 crore monthly for the state.

Officials stressed that the change is both financially prudent and nutritionally beneficial, ensuring families receive a balanced mix of pulses, sugar, oil, and salt while curbing the misuse of rice.