On Friday, the Karnataka BJP government chose to rename the Anna Bhagya scheme to Mukhyamantri Annapoorna Yojane. The Anna Bhagya scheme, which included providing free food grains to the poor, was initiated by Congress head Siddaramaiah when he was the Chief Minister in 2013. The BJP government drove by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, nonetheless, is yet to officially declare the change in name for the program.
The renaming of the scheme was uncovered on Friday after Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission Chairperson Hanumanagouda Belagurki presented a report to CM BS Yediyurappa. The report, named ‘Mukhya Mantri Annapoorna Yojana’, has a commentary of proposals, which included analysis of the current scheme, and methods to improve the nature of production and market costs.
Known as the ex-Congress government’s crown jewel to many, the Anna Bhagya scheme recommendation is said to have Siddaramaiah elected as the Chief Minister in 2013. The plan incorporates the distribution of free rice, jowar, bajra, ragi and lentils through the public distribution system (PDS) for those underneath the poverty line.
As per sources in the Chief Minister’s Office, funds for developmental works including mid-day meal scheme Anna Bhagya, Kshita Bhagya, and Indira Canteens were cut subsequent to the pandemic that struck Karnataka. The funds for these schemes were reallocated for COVID-19 efforts, the source stated.
Anna Bhagya has gotten synonymous with the accomplishment of the Siddaramaiah government and rebranding it is one of the main strides to be taken to guarantee that the scheme continues, the source stated.
The source added, “Under the Congress government, the various ‘bhagya’ schemes were launched. Since the number of food grains being distributed through the Anna Bhagya scheme was reduced, there is a need to rebrand it as even now, it is known as Siddaramaiah’s scheme.”
The model of allocating free food grains to the poor was conceptualized and implemented for the first time by ex-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Ramarao. Many governments have later on adopted this scheme.
Three weeks prior, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah had taken a scathing attack on Yediyurappa, saying that the states of farmers and weavers, particularly the individuals who are from low-income backgrounds, have deteriorated.