Rai warns against misuse of Anna Bhagya scheme

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

July 10, 2013

Mangalore, Jul 10: “I work as a domestic help to eke out living. There are a dozen members in my family. We need at least 40 kg rice every month. Distribution of at Re 1/kg will surely benefit of family,” said a Kanaka, 50-year-old woman.

Kanaka, who hails from Mulihithlu on the outskirts of the city was one of the beneficiaries of the Siddaramaiah led Karnataka government's ambitious initiative to supply 30 kg of rice at Re one to nearly one crore poor families across the state.

Janaki, another beneficiary from the same area said her 10 member family needed at least 40 kg rice every month. “The government's new scheme is a of a great help for us,” she said.

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment and Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge B Ramanath Rai inaugurated the 'Anna Bhagya Yojane,' flagship programme at Town Hall in the city on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Rai said that both officials and citizens should work in coordination to ensure that the programme reaches out the deserved and needy people.

Terming the event as a historic occasion, he also warned against the misuse of the prop-poor project of the Congress government.

“By distributing rice at Re 1/kg, the Congress government has fulfilled one of its promises in the election manifesto. Poor people of the state should take benefit of this project. Nobody should misuse this scheme,” he said.

Stating that quality rice will be distributed to the beneficiaries Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Sharanabasappa said that the card holders must use the distributed rice for their household needs and should not think of selling it in black market. “If we found any such illegality, then those families would lose BPL cards and also face legal action,” he said.

Mangalore City South MLA J R Lobo and Mangalore City North MLA B A Moideen Bava was also present on the occasion.

Beneficiaries

In Dakshina Kannada district a total of 1,79,293 people are expected to be benefited from Anna Bhagya scheme. This includes Mangalore non rationed area—21,144 families, TMC and town panchayat limits—13,872, rural areas—1,44,277 families. This includes about 21,307 Anthyodaya card holders.

A card with one member will get 10 kilograms of rice; with two members will get 20 kg; and card with three or more members will get 30 kg of rice.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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