Though India is one the fastest growing economies in the world, poverty & Food security is still a pressing matter. On the path to ensure Food Security of marginalized communities in the state the Government of Karnataka launched the Anna Bhagya Scheme in 2023.
Anna Bhagya Scheme is a free anna provision scheme of the Karnataka Government that provides rice to people of the marginalized communities for free.
The scheme recently made news when Punjab came to the rescue of Karnataka Government as the major provider of rice to fulfill the Anna Bhagya Scheme’s promise of providing free rice to the people lying Below Poverty Line (BPL).
Rs. 34/- per Kg will be Provided in Place of 5 Kg Rice per Head.
Beneficiaries
BPL/ Antyodaya Category Families of Karnataka.
The Anya Bhagya scheme of the Government of Karnataka earlier provided 5 kgs of free rice to persons of below poverty line (BPL) communities to sustain their livelihoods. In the improved version of the scheme the amount of rice provided earlier has been doubled and is now made 10 kgs per month for every household.
This scheme that also goes by the name of ‘Karnataka Free Rice Distribution Scheme’ ensures that all marginalized households including beneficiaries of Anna Antyodaya & Priority Household (PHH) ration cards also receive the benefits of the scheme.
Following are the objectives of the Anna Bhagya Scheme implemented by the Government of Karnataka.
Ensuring food security of vulnerable sections of the society is the primary objective of the scheme.
To provide subsidized food grains to families belonging to below poverty line (BPL) communities.
Provide an affordable access to food grains via Public Distribution systems (PDS).
Provide essential food grains that include the staple diets.
Improving the nutritional condition of the marginalized community by providing food grains at subsidized rates.
To enhance the quality of life and alleviate poverty by providing better food choices for poor people.
Ensures fair and transparent distribution of food grains through Public Distribution systems to ensure that only the needy avail the benefits of the scheme.
To promote the socio economic well being of the poor people and Karnataka.
Reducing hunger and malnutrition in children belonging to the BPL communities.
Anna Bhagya Scheme Eligibility Criteria
The people of Karnataka who want to avail the benefits of the Anna Bhagya scheme 2023 can do so if they fulfill the following eligibility criteria.
A person applying for the scheme must necessarily be a resident of Karnataka and must withhold valid documents stating so.
The age of the applicant must be above 18 years of age.
The people applying must belong to the BPL category and must withhold their BPL card as proof.
Candidates who are beneficiaries of Anna Antyodaya or have Priority Household Ration Card are also eligible for the scheme.
Any family member of the beneficiary’s family must not be a government servant.
Candidates applying can belong to both rural and urban areas of Karnataka
How to apply for Anna Bhagya Scheme?
Candidates who wish to avail the benefits of the Anna Bhagya scheme of Karnataka Government must follow the following steps.
For applying for the Anna Bhagya scheme, there is no application form that a candidate has to fill.
One must visit the nearest ration shop along with their ration card.
At the ration shop, a biometric authentication of the person using their thumb will be done.
The person is automatically registered under the Anna Bhagya scheme via this process.
To avail the benefits of the Anna Bhagya scheme of Karnataka Government a candidate must withhold the following documents as proof of his or her domicile and community status.
A candidate must be a Domicile of Karnataka and should have either a domicile certificate or a proof of residence.
The candidate must essentially have an Aadhar card.
The bank account details of the beneficiary must be linked to the Aadhar card of the person.
The candidate must also have a valid phone number.
How to check status of Anna Bhagya Scheme?
A beneficiary can check the status of the Anna Bhagya scheme online and offline.
Online Process
Visit the official website of Karnataka food, civil supplies, and consumer Affairs department.
Click on the public distribution system (PDS) link provided there.
Navigate to the section that mentions the Anna Bhagya scheme.
On the screen find the check status or beneficiary status option, click on it.
Enter your ration card number, Aadhar number, and other identification details as asked.
Click on the submit button.
The status of your Anna Bhagya application will be visible on the screen.
This would also include the quantity of grains alerted to you and other relevant details.
Offline Process
The beneficiaries also have an option of checking the status of their Anna Bhagya application offline by visiting the nearest ration shop or distribution center along with their BPL card/Anna Antyodaya/PHH card.
How to check the amount transferred by the Government to the beneficiary’s bank account?
Though under the Karnataka Government’s Anna Bhagya scheme beneficiaries are bound to receive 10 kgs of rice per month for free but at the time of distribution only 5 kgs of rice is given to the beneficiary while the money for the remaining 5 kgs is transferred to the bank account of the beneficiary. To check the status of the amount sent by the Karnataka government to the beneficiary’s account the following steps can be followed.
Candidates have to visit the official website of Karnataka food, civil supplies, and consumer Affairs department.
Click on the E-services option on the homepage.
Under this option click on e-status.
Then click on the ‘DBT’ Status option.
Enter your credentials as asked.
Enter the capture code.
Click on the go button.
The amount transferred to the beneficiaries account will be displayed on your computer screen.
1. Can only one family member avail the benefits of the Anna Bhagya scheme?
No, under the Anna Bhagya scheme more than one family member can receive rice and other subsidized food grains for free if they belong to the below poverty line community.
2. Who is eligible for the Anna Bhagya scheme?
Residents of Karnataka belonging to BPL communities having Antyodaya Anna/PHH card are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.
3. From where can one receive the free rice provided under the Anna Bhagya Yojana?
The beneficiaries of the Anna Bhagya scheme can receive the free games under the Bhagya Yojana at the nearest Public Distribution center or ration shop.
