The Anna Bhagya scheme has been continuing in Hassan district amidst complaints of discrepancies.
Cases such as diverting rice meant for the scheme from godowns, over-charging at distribution points and beneficiaries reselling rice to shopkeepers, have been reported in Hassan.
At least two cases of diversion of rice meant for distribution under the Anna Bhagya scheme were reported in the last one year. In August 2013, hardly a month after the scheme was launched, over 305 quintals of rice worth over Rs. 9 lakh were found in a rice mill in Hassan city. Similarly in May this year, another 278 bags of rice were seized while being transported to Kerala. Investigation into the cases is still going on.
There have also been complaints on fair price shopkeepers charging more than the fixed price. This correspondent, during visits to a few shops in Salagame hobli of Hassan taluk and a few villages in Holenarasipur, observed shopkeepers collecting more than Rs. 1 per kg of rice. The beneficiaries complained that they were being given only 26 to 28 kg of rice instead of 30 kg.
Meanwhile, the number of below the poverty line cardholders has gone up since the scheme was launched last year. In July 2013, a total 3.87 lakh families, including 23,795 families of Antyodaya scheme, were given rice under the scheme.
However, by July this year, the number of beneficiaries has gone up to 4.15 lakh.
Soon after the launch of the scheme, demand for BPL cards picked up. Many applicants were from families with more than three to four members, who can get a maximum of 30 kg rice a month. They applied for fresh cards showing ‘division’ in the family to claim additional rice.
H.E. Mahadevappa, Deputy Director, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, said 1 kg rice is provided to single-member families, who are entitled to 10 kg of foodgrain and 2 kg ragi in case of two-member families.
Interestingly, many beneficiaries sell rice to shopkeepers, who, in turn sell the same to customers for a higher price. A resident of Aduvalli in Hassan said that 20 kg of rice was sufficient a month for her family of four.
