The introduction of Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya schemes has helped reduce the school drop out rate, besides increasing the school enrolment rates in the state, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The welfare schemes had also helped address issues related to malnutrition that was high in many districts across the State, he added.
Mr. Siddaramaiah was speaking at the 102nd birth anniversary celebrations of Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt, who is credited with pioneering the midday meal scheme in the educational institutions run by the mutt decades ago.
“His work was also a source of inspiration for the government to introduce Anna Bhagya and related schemes, including distribution of seven kg rice free of cost to people below the poverty line,” he said.
The Chief Minister said though the state was reeling under severe drought for the past few years, there has not been a single case of death due to starvation. This, he attributed, to the Anna Bhagya scheme under which rice is distributed to the people through the Public Distribution System.
“Nearly 1.08 crore BPL card holders accounting to about four crore people are deriving benefit of the scheme,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah, who claimed that consequent to its introduction, distress migration from rural to urban areas due to hunger, had also reduced. It is the same concern for the poor which led the government to introduce 198 Indira Canteens in Bengaluru to help the urban poor get nutritious and quality food at nominal rates, he added.
Praising the contribution of the late seer for his role in disseminating education, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the swami was always concerned of social inequities in society and strongly believed in education as a panacea for such ills. As a result, there are more than 3000 educational institutions of JSS Mutt across the country.
Earlier, he laid the foundation stone for a 11-foot statue of the late seer to be installed at a cost of ₹3 crore in Mysuru. Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, the present seer, Nirmalananda Swamiji of Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt, elected representatives and hundreds of the devotees of Suttur Mutt, were present.