Subsidised Rice, Wheat for Middle-class Families till January

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 12: It is not just the below poverty line (BPL) families but even the middle-class sections of the society coming under the above poverty line (APL) category who will be entitled for subsidised rice and wheat from the public distribution system (PDS) in the state from this month onwards.
             
''This is the biggest relief to be provided to the middle class families groaning under the impact of the sky-rocketing prices of foodgrains and essential commodities, taken at the instance of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa,” announced transport minister R Ashok, who is also the in-charge minister for food and civil supplies.
               
According to Ashok, the government has decided to distribute five kg of rice and two kg of wheat under the public distribution system every month at Rs 9.40 a kg and Rs 7.20 a kg, respectively, for the APL families from this month.
               
Yeddyurappa regime’s largesse to the middle class sections will not be confined only to those having APL cards but extended to even employees of private and government organisations, who do not have ration cards and find it difficult to go to ration shops on account of their work schedules.
               
Employees of private and government organisations, who do not have ration cards - whether BPL or APL - can also get 50 kg each of rice and wheat once in six months at Rs 13 and Rs 9.50 per kg, respectively, from the Karnataka State Food Corporation (KSFC) godowns by producing identity cards issued by their organisations.
               
''Thus, this section of people who find it difficult to buy small quantities of foodgrains from ration shops every month will be saved of the trouble with the option of buying their requirement once in six months by furnishing the official identity card from their respective organisations/employers,” Ashok said.
               
Both schemes, which would ensure universal coverage of PDS foodgrains, would be launched on Independence Day on Sunday in Mandya by R Ashok.
               
The minister said both the schemes would be implemented on an experimental basis till January 2011. There are 11,99,700 Anthodaya card holders, 86.41 lac BPL, and 52.97 lac APL card holders in the state.
 

Aimed at Zilla and Taluk Panchayat Polls?
 
Elections to zilla and taluk panchayats, which are likely to be held in December, is said to be the major reason behind the launch of both schemes across the state. However, the minister refuted the charge and said the schemes have been planned to contain the prices of essential commodities and declined to answers questions on additional financial burden caused by schemes on the government.

About 18 lac APL families are expected to benefit from the scheme. A total of 1,50,600 tonnes of rice and 38,640 tonnes of wheat would be released to over 20,000 ration shops across the state for a six month period.
 
Families can avail August and September quota of rice (10 kg) and wheat (four kg) at one go till September end.

A total of 38,553 tonnes of rice and 59,456 tonnes of wheat would be released to KSFC godowns for distributing rations to families or persons who do not have ration cards. About eight lac families are expected to benefit from the scheme. There are 140 godowns in the state.

To distribute foodgrains to APL families, the centre will release an additional 25,100 tonnes of rice and 6,440 tonnes of wheat each month. “This distribution will be operational from August to January, 2011” the minister said.

Employees of the central/state government, public enterprises, private aided/unaided schools and colleges, private industries/organisations, defence/ home guard personnel can avail subsidised 50 kg each of rice and wheat once in six months by producing identity cards given by organisations at the KSFC godowns.

Similarly, rural people having APL cards, and sportspersons, freedom fighters, accredited journalists, artistes, physically challenged persons employees of private firms can also purchase foodgrains by producing identity cards issued by their organisations at the KSFC godowns, the minister said.
               
To enable ration card holders to purchase foodgrains on all days, the state government has allowed individuals to set up Annapoorna Ahara Bandara in Tumkur district on a pilot basis.
              
A decision to set up private shops was taken following complaints that regular ration shop owners keep their shops closed most of the days in a month. Individuals have to obtain licences from the department to set up the shops. However, only ration card holders are eligible to purchase food items and other small items such as matchbox, soaps, detergents, and other commodities.

The shops would remain open on all days of year. Based on the success of the pilot project in Tumkur, it would be extended to other districts, Ashok added.