Mysore/Mysuru: Days after Chief Minister Siddharamaiah launched credit of money at Rs.34 per kg for 5-kg rice to the accounts of beneficiaries of the State Government’s ambitious ‘Anna Bhagya’ Scheme (distribution of 10-kg free rice to each member of ration card holders), which was one of the five pre-poll promises of the ruling Congress, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has launched a helpline for addressing any issues concerning crediting of money (Direct Benefit Transfer – DBT) to the accounts of beneficiaries.

Joint Director of Food and Civil Supplies Department Kumuda Sharath said that under the Scheme, 5-kg rice and cash of Rs.170 (at Rs.34 per kg) for 5-kg rice, will be given every month to each beneficiary covered under BPL (Below Poverty Line) and Antyodaya cards.

Pointing out that the DBT will be in force until the Government source enough quantity of rice from the open market for distribution of additional 5-kg rice to each beneficiary, Kumuda said that the credit of money via DBT to the Bank account of every beneficiary has begun, with Rs.31,52,79,800 cash already credited to the accounts of 5,86,400 beneficiaries in Mysuru.

Noting that a helpline has been started in every taluk of the district to address any problems or issues regarding DBT, she said that the beneficiaries can call the mobile numbers of designated officers during working hours. The list of cell phone numbers of officials is as follows:

Mysuru city: Keshava – 98802-38495 and Mandara – 99018-21269. Mysuru taluk: Nagaraju – 86187-71871 and Kavitha – 97439-05385.

H.D. Kote: Somashekar- 81972-22784.

Hunsur: Sharavana – 88840-24771 and Madegowda – 89709-39533. K.R. Nagar: Puttaraju – 73531-97375.