The new Indira Food Kits will replace the additional 5 kg rice previously given under the scheme.
Bengaluru
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved a major change to the Annabhagya scheme, deciding to distribute Indira Food Kits (nutritious food kits) instead of the additional 5 kg of rice previously provided to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders. The decision aims to ensure transparency and prevent misappropriation in ration distribution.
Under the revised scheme, each ration cardholder will receive an Indira Food Kit in place of the 5 kg of rice. Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa said the kit size will depend on the number of family members — half a kilogram for households with 1–2 members, one kilogram for families of 3–4 members, and one and a half kilograms for families with more than five members.
There are 1.26 crore ration cards in the state, covering 4.48 crore beneficiaries, he said. Beneficiaries are divided into three categories based on household size, and 53.22 lakh ration cards fall under the 1–2 member category. Each kit costs ₹203.75, amounting to ₹66.36 crore per month for that group alone.
The total budget allocation for providing the food kits is ₹6,119.52 crore, reallocated from the earlier ₹6,426 crore earmarked for the additional rice.
Each Indira Food Kit will include 1 kg dal, 1 litre cooking oil, 1 kg sugar, and 1 kg salt.
Law Minister H.K. Patil said the decision was made following reports of large-scale illegal transportation and theft of rice under the Annabhagya scheme. He added that the government is determined to ensure fair distribution and better nutritional value for all beneficiaries.
