The Karnataka government has said that it has approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore to cover additional expenses such as wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges under the Annabhagya scheme for the months of February to May, 2025.
This fund allocation comes in addition to a previously released grant of Rs 2,082.99 crore, which was meant for the purchase of an extra five kg of rice per beneficiary and other related costs for the four-month period, a government order issued on Monday said.
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The order was issued as the lorry owners transporting rice and other food grains to ration shops across Karnataka decided to go on an indefinite strike starting from Tuesday.
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Rs 21.79 crore from the earlier allocation remains unutilised with the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, Bengaluru, resulting in a shortfall for meeting incidental expenses, the order said.
The government, upon consideration, approved the release of Rs 244.10 crore specifically to meet the costs of wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges, excluding rice procurement costs, on Monday.
"The approved amount will be disbursed under the Annabhagya Scheme for the financial year 2025–26. The funds will be routed through the Khajane-2 financial management software system, directly from the administrative department to the Chief Accounts Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Bengaluru Urban District," the government order read.
A senior government official ruled out any dearth of funds, and Rs 199 crore has already been released.
"We will release the amount in the next two days," he said.
GR Shanmukhappa, President of the State Lorry Owners' Association, on Tuesday announced an indefinite strike by the truckers in view of non-payment of dues worth Rs 250 crore.
In a video message, Shanmukhappa said, "How can we sustain if we are not paid our four months' dues from March to June? The government has to pay us Rs 250 crore."
Taking to social media platform 'X', R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, hit out at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: "You've withheld Rs 250 crore in payments owed to lorry owners for the past six months."
"How are these poor lorry owners supposed to pay salaries to their drivers? How are they supposed to refuel their lorries with diesel? If the lorry strike disrupts food grain supply and delays the distribution of rations to the poor, who will take responsibility for that?"
BJP State President BY Vijayendra has urged the Congress government to clear these long-pending dues without further delay and uphold the dignity of those who have faithfully executed their responsibilities.
"This is yet another example in a long series of fiscal imprudence under the CM Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. @INCKarnataka Promised welfare, but delivered - debt and despair," he alleged in a post on 'X'.
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