Karnataka begins Anna Bhagya scheme direct benefit cash transfers: Key benefits, documents required and other important details

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is all set to start its direct bank transfer of benefits under the Anna Bhagya Scheme starting day Monday, July 10, 2023. The Karnataka government, under its Anna Bhagya scheme, will transfer Rs 170 towards an additional 5 kg rice per beneficiary of the below poverty line (BPL) families. The funds will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries linked to the Aadhaar numbers of the BPL family heads.

The scheme will be launched by CM Siddaramaiah at the Conference Hall of Vidhana Soudha at 5 pm today by distributing checks to a few beneficiaries.

There are 1.28 crore ration card holders in the state under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, out of which 99 percent are seeded with Aadhaar numbers. Nearly 1.06 crore, which is 82 percent of the total eligible beneficiaries, have active bank accounts linked to their Aadhaar number. These beneficiaries will receive the amount in their bank accounts for additional 5 kg rice at Rs 34 per kg through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

However, 22 lakh BPL families may not get benefits under the Anna Bhagya scheme immediately as their bank accounts are no linked to Aadhaar numbers, according to the government.

Anna Bhagya Scheme, which promises 5kg of rice per beneficiary belonging to BPL families, was one of the five poll promises made by the Congress ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls.  

What is Anna Bhagya Scheme?  

The Anna Bhagya Scheme is the Karnataka government's free rice scheme, under which people belonging to the BPL category have been promised 10 Kg rice every month. 

Of the 10 kg, five kg of rice will be from the Central government, which beneficiaries have been receiving for a long time. The state government has announced additional five kg rice, but in exchange, it is transferring money (Rs 170 per month) to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The Karnataka government decided for direct benefit transfer since it failed to procure rice from the Food Corporation of India and other sources.

Eligibility:

In order to avail the benefits of this scheme, an applicant needs to be a permanent resident of Karnataka.

Only those applicants who belong to the below poverty line (BPL) families or hold the Antyodaya Anna Card are eligible for this scheme.

Documents required

• Residence Proof/Domicile of Karnataka
• Aadhar Card
• BPL Card/Antyodaya Anna Card
• Mobile Number
• Aadhaar linked Bank Account details

How to apply?

In order to avail the benefits of the Karnataka Anna Bhagya Scheme, there is no need to apply anywhere. Anyone belonging to the below poverty line category is automatically eligible to receive the benefits under the Anna Bhagya Scheme.