Belagavi, 8 Dec 

Karnataka Minister KH Muniyappa on Monday informed the Legislative Council that 570 people across the state have been arrested for the illegal hoarding and sale of rice intended for the ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme.

The Minister, who holds the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology portfolio, was responding to a starred question by MLC CT Ravi at the ongoing session in Suvarna Soudha.

Ravi alleged that Anna Bhagya rice is being smuggled to Singapore and Dubai, where it fetches higher prices. According to the BJP MLC, the 10 kg rice distributed free to Below Poverty Line families in Karnataka is sold for Rs 1,500 to Rs 8,000 abroad.

Replying to the allegations, Minister Muniyappa said, “29,603.15 quintals of illegally traded rice have been seized and 314 vehicles used in the operations have been confiscated.”

He added that in Yadgir district, officers from other departments serving in the Food Department have been relieved, and the KFCSC warehouse in Gangavati taluk of Koppal district has been suspended.

Muniyappa further said officers and field staff have been instructed to conduct regular supervision to curb illegal storage and sale of ration rice, with criminal cases being registered under the “Essential Commodities Act, 1955.”

The Minister warned that misuse of the ration rice by cardholders will lead to cancellation of their ration cards and appropriate action. “Vigilance committees have been formed at the fair-price shop, taluk, district and State levels to oversee ration distribution,” he said.

He also highlighted that monthly ‘Food Adalats’ are being held at fair-price shops to raise awareness among beneficiaries, and a State-level ‘Food Vigilance Squad’ has been constituted to act against violations.