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Bengaluru, June 24, 2025: The Karnataka govt is set to roll out a new initiative called the ‘Indira Food Kit’ to provide nutritional support to all priority ration cardholders under the Anna Bhagya scheme. Aimed at preventing the misuse of ration rice in the black market, the govt plans to distribute these kits containing essential food items in place of the additional 5 kg of rice currently provided.

Proposal to Be Tabled Soon; What is in Indira Food Kit

According to a Prajavani report, the Food Department has prepared a proposal that is likely to be presented at the next Cabinet meeting on July 2, 2025, at Nandibetta. Food Minister K.H. Muniyappa said that the kits will include 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of salt, 1 kg of toor dal, 1 liter of cooking oil, 2 kg of wheat, 100 grams of tea powder, and 50 grams of coffee powder.

The Indira Food Kit is designed to ensure that priority families receive balanced and essential food supplies, enhancing their nutritional intake. By including items like pulses, oil, and wheat, the government aims to provide a more diverse and wholesome diet compared to rice alone.

As per current estimates, distributing rice costs the state ₹25.50 per kg (including transportation), resulting in a monthly expenditure of ₹573 crore and an annual cost of ₹6,876 crore, according to Food Department sources. The Indira Food Kit aims to optimize resources while ensuring nutritional benefits for beneficiaries.

The initiative shows the government’s commitment to improving food security and stopping the misuse of subsidized rations. By replacing surplus rice with essential food kits, the state aims to ensure that priority families get the support they need based on their dietary requirements.

Addressing Ration Rice Misuse

Under the National Food Security Act, priority household (PHH) ration cardholders receive 10 kg of rice monthly for free through the Anna Bhagya scheme, with 5 kg contributed by the central government and 5 kg by the state. However, some households receive more rice than needed, leading to its sale in the black market at lower prices. To curb this, the state has decided to replace the extra rice with nutrient-rich essential food kits.

Keywords: Indira Food Kit, Karnataka ration cardholders, Anna Bhagya scheme, nutritional kit, ration rice misuse, Karnataka food security, priority households, Food Dept Karnataka, K.H. Muniyappa, 2025 Karnataka budget, essential food items, Karnataka govt schemes, PHH ration card,