As the Karnataka government is facing difficulty in procuring large quantities of rice required to fulfil its poll guarantee, it has decided to pay beneficiaries cash at the rate of Rs 34 per kilo, for the additional 5kg of the foodgrain promised under the ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme. The Congress, in its election manifesto, had promised to give an additional five kg rice a month along with five kg given by the Centre for free.

Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa said, “Since the date for launching Anna Bhagya has arrived (July 1) and we had given word, today in the cabinet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and other ministers arrived at a decision that till the time the rice is supplied, we will give money at the rate of R34 per kg, which is the FCI rate, to the (BPL) ration card holders.”