Bengaluru: The DK Shivakumar govt has decided to scrap Indira food kits proposed under Anna Bhagya guarantee scheme and is looking at implementing the programme in a new form, food and civil supplies minister Rizwan Arshad revealed.The kits were proposed by the previous Siddaramaiah govt as a more “nutritious” alternative to an additional 5kg of rice under the guarantee scheme. Each kit was to contain 1kg each of tur dal, moong dal, sugar and salt, besides a litre of cooking oil for families with three to four members. Families with one or two members were to receive half-kg packs. It was estimated to cost the state Rs 6,119 crore.However, the proposal faced opposition from the finance department which flagged concerns related to procurement and quality. The department suggested the govt consider issuing “e-vouchers” instead to beneficiaries, allowing them to buy foodgrains while keeping the state out of the supply and distribution process.Speaking to TOI, Arshad confirmed the govt had decided to cancel tenders. “We are looking at reworking the scheme,” he said, adding that the revised version would be introduced within 45 days and fresh tenders would be called.Arshad said a survey conducted by the food and civil supplies department found that women preferred a variety of quality foodgrains. “Keeping this in mind, the decision was taken to provide food kits. Our new team is working on the composition of the kits and strengthening the supply chain,” said Arshad.Earlier this month, HM Revanna, state-level guarantees committee president, had said the govt would float supply tenders at the district level instead of pan-state. He said it would prevent pilferage and misappropriation.In the interim, the govt is expected to continue providing 5kg of rice to BPL families under Anna Bhagya. This is in addition to the 5kg of rice provided under National Food Security Act or Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.
