Crackdown ordered on illegal diversion of Anna Bhagya rice

Pic: District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority president Reddy Srinivas on Thursday held a review meeting in Koppal along with ZP CEO Varnit NegiKoppal: District authorities have ordered strict action to curb illegal sale and diversion of ration rice distributed under the Anna Bhagya scheme.The directive was issued at a district-level review meeting of the five guarantee schemes held at the zilla panchayat's J H Patel Hall on Thursday. Chairing the meeting, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority president Reddy Srinivas instructed food department officials to take stringent action against those involved in illegal stocking and transportation of ration rice."There should be no scope for diversion. Officials must act promptly on complaints and ensure chargesheets are filed in all such cases," Srinivas said. He also called for creating public awareness about legal action taken against offenders.Srinivas directed that all fair price shops function properly and be fitted with CCTV cameras. He stressed the need for quality checks of foodgrains before distribution and asked authority members to conduct regular inspections of ration shops.On the Gruhalakshmi scheme, he said complaints regarding lack of response at CDPO offices should be addressed immediately and payments to deceased beneficiaries stopped without delay. Under the Gruha Jyoti scheme, officials were asked to review pending applications and resolve technical issues.Officials said 3,21,019 beneficiaries have received assistance under the Gruhalakshmi scheme, while 2,89,212 consumers have availed benefits under Gruha Jyoti. The district has 3,63,521 ration card holders under the Anna Bhagya scheme. Under the Shakti scheme, 11,22,17,504 instances of free travel by women have been recorded.Under the Yuvanidhi scheme, 14,266 beneficiaries have been registered and Rs 30.3 crore disbursed up to the end of Jan 2026.The meeting was attended by members of the district-level Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, taluk-level chairpersons, officials of implementing departments and taluk panchayat executive officers.