Modi government's ambitious 'Bharat Rice' project stalled in just four months
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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Riyan Parag debuts as first Assam cricketer in national team
Guwahati, Jul 6: All-rounder Riyan Parag became the first cricketer from Assam to play for the national team at the senior level as he made his debut against Zimbabwe in a T-20 tie at Harare on Saturday.
“A son's dream takes flight, and a father's heart swells with pride! Riyan Parag, you've made Assam proud! And what makes it even more special is receiving his Cap from the person who inspired him the most - his father!,” Assam Cricket Association posted on X, congratulating the young player.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed it a historic day for the state.
“Our very own @ParagRiyan makes his debut in the Indian Cricket Team as he plays his first T20I match for #TeamIndia against Zimbabwe at Harare,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site.
“#RiyanParag becomes the first Assamese male cricketer to play for India. Proud moment; may be reach the pinnacle of sporting glory,” the former Assam CM added.
The 22-year-old, who did not bowl in his first international match, failed to impress with the bat, being caught out for 2 runs off 3 balls in the fifth over as India chased Zimbabwe’s score of 115 runs.
Zimbabwe pulled off an upset of massive proportions when they stunned the Indian team brimming with an array of Next-Gen stars by 13 runs in the first T20I of the five-match series here on Saturday.
Riyan, who was a part of the Indian Under-19 team that won the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, was named in the Indian national squad for the Zimbabwe tour last month.
He has been representing Assam in domestic cricket since 2017 and has been a member of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League since 2018.
Another cricketer from the state, Uma Chetry, had been earlier named in the Indian women's team but is yet to make her international debut.
