Karnataka approves Rs 244 cr for Annabhagya amid lorry strike
The newly approved funds are aimed at addressing wholesale and retail margins and transportation charges, excluding the cost of rice procurement. This follows a prior allocation of Rs 2,082.99 crore for purchasing additional rice and other associated expenses under the same scheme, of which Rs 21.79 crore remains unutilized.
The lorry strike, now entering a critical phase, has halted food grain movement across the state, raising concerns about ration supply disruptions. Truck owners have warned of worsening logistics delays unless the government settles the long-pending arrears.
Opposition parties have slammed the Congress-led administration for what they call fiscal mismanagement and warned that failure to resolve the strike could paralyze the state's public distribution system. They have demanded an immediate resolution to safeguard food security for economically vulnerable sections.
The Annabhagya scheme, a flagship welfare program, provides free rice to below-povertyline families and is seen as politically crucial for the ruling dispensation. However, the ongoing financial strain and operational bottlenecks have exposed governance gaps in scheme implementation and payment logistics.
The Finance and Food & Civil Supplies departments are expected to hold joint talks with transport unions this week in an attempt to break the deadlock.
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