The Anna Bhagya scheme was a key election promise made by the Congress party during the Karnataka Assembly elections in May 2023.
The scheme aimed to provide an additional five kilograms of free rice to every member of a Below Poverty Line household.
It was introduced to ensure food security for vulnerable households in Karnataka.
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How it ensures food security:
The Anna Bhagya scheme intended to address the lack of access to sufficient food among Below Poverty Line households.
By providing additional free rice, the scheme aimed to alleviate hunger and improve the nutritional status of beneficiaries.
It aimed to ensure that vulnerable households had a reliable source of food, especially during times of economic hardship or emergencies.
The scheme aimed to contribute to food security by ensuring that eligible households had access to a staple food item.
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Role of FCI in ensuring food security
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) plays a crucial role in ensuring food security in India.
The FCI procures grains, mainly wheat and rice, at minimum support prices (MSP) to support producers and maintain price stability.
It supplies grains to meet the needs of the Public Distribution System (PDS), providing subsidized or free food to households under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The FCI's stocks are also used for price stabilization through the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
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The OMSS allows states to purchase grain from the FCI for various purposes, including running community kitchens and fulfilling specific state-level schemes.
The FCI's role in procurement, distribution, and price stabilization contributes to overall food security in the country.
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