A decision by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka to modify its flagship "Anna Bhagya" scheme has sparked a political clash with the opposition BJP. The state government has decided to replace 5 kg of free rice with a new "Indira Food Kit," a move the BJP has sharply criticizedUnder the revamped Anna Bhagya scheme, families below the poverty line (BPL) will now receive 5 kg of rice per person, and in place of the additional 5 kg they were previously promised, they will get a food kit.This "Indira Food Kit" will contain items like tur dal, edible oil, sugar, and salt, aiming to provide a more diverse and nutritional package to the beneficiaries.The state government has defended the change as a "pro-people initiative.Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated the move addresses concerns about the misuse and black marketing of surplus rice while ensuring better nutritional outcomes for families.Officials also pointed out that the new approach would lead to significant monthly savings for the stateHowever, the BJP has termed the decision a "collapse" of a key Congress promise. In a social media post, the party mocked the state government, saying that the 5 kg of rice provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's central government is the only guarantee for the people of Karnataka. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra accused the Congress government of "downgrading" a popular scheme and argued that the food kit is no substitute for the staple rice that families rely on.The Anna Bhagya scheme, which promised 10 kg of free rice, was a major electoral pledge for the Congress party in the 2023 assembly polls.Under the National Food Security Act, the central government provides 5 kg of rice to BPL cardholders, and any additional amount must be funded by the state. The BJP's taunt of "Modi's rice" is a direct reference to this central allocation.This is not the first time the name "Indira" has been associated with populist schemes in Karnataka. The "Indira Canteen," a flagship program from Siddaramaiah's previous term, offers subsidized meals to the urban poor and continues to be a popular initiative.The introduction of the "Indira Food Kit" marks a significant shift in the state's welfare policy, one that has immediately become a new political battleground.
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