Bengaluru: The central government's ambitious 'Bharat Rice' scheme, aimed at distributing quality food at affordable prices, has been temporarily suspended since July. Under this scheme, rice was sold at ₹29 per kg, wheat flour at ₹27.50 per kg, and pulses at ₹60 per kg.

The 'Bharat Rice' scheme, which began on February 2, 2024, in the wake of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, was designed to provide quality food to the common man at low prices. The scheme, overseen by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), saw high demand from consumers. Supplies were maintained until June 10, after which deliveries ceased, leading to the current suspension. The Nafed website shows the rice to be out of stock.

Initially, the scheme involved distributing food items through mobile vans and select malls across various parts of the state. Consumers could purchase ten kilograms of rice or wheat flour, with pulses being available in some districts. However, not all promised deliveries were made.

For Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders, the state distributed five kilograms of rice per person for free, while Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders received ten kilograms of rice at ₹15 per kg. However, many families without ration cards, including migrants and daily wage laborers, faced difficulties in accessing affordable food. The temporary halt in the scheme has added to their woes.

Vinaykumar, Head of NAFED Karnataka Division, informed that around 5,000 tonnes of Bharat rice, wheat flour, and pulses were sold through mobile vans and selected outlets like Reliance Mart and Jio Mart. Despite the high demand, supplies have run out, and no groceries have been delivered since July 1.

The primary reason for the suspension appears to be the depressed paddy production last year due to insufficient rainfall, making it challenging to sustain the scheme across the country. This, coupled with the financial burden on the government, led to the temporary halt.

The central government is now contemplating a new policy for the distribution of Bharat rice. Details of the new policy are awaited.

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Bengaluru, Aug 11 (PTI): In response to a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers starting August 12, the Karnataka Health Department on Monday issued a notice prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during the protest period, except in cases of medical emergencies.

Accredited Social Health Activists workers are demanding the fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 promised by the state government in January. They have announced a continuous state-level protest from August 12 to 14.

The notice stated, “Information about ASHA workers absent from duty within district limits will be collected daily from primary health centres, compiled at the district level, and submitted to the commissionerate by 3 pm during the protest.”

The Health Department also urged community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers to cooperate in ensuring that health services to the public remain uninterrupted.

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