Siddaramaiah clarifies only ineligible BPL cards in state to be 'retrieved'

Denying Opposition parties' allegations that BPL cards were being cancelled in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said only ineligible ones will be retrieved or converted to APL cards.

In Short

• Karnataka Chief Minister denies Opposition’s claims of BPL card cancellation
• Says BPL cards of income tax payers, government officials to be reclaimed
• Says Food Department will identify ineligible BPL card holders through review

Only ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards will be taken back, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified regarding the reported state government’s move to take away BPL cards.

The clarification came after the Opposition parties called the move an effort to reduce the financial stress on Karnataka stemming from the guarantee schemes.

Addressing the media in Bagalkot on Sunday, the Chief Minister responded to questions regarding BPL card cancellations.

“The claim that BPL cards are being cancelled is entirely incorrect. We are looking into retrieving cards that have been issued to ineligible persons,” he stated, adding: “The Food Department is currently verifying these cases, and no final decision has been taken yet. Ineligible individuals will not retain cards, but eligible beneficiaries will not be denied their entitlements.”

Defending this task undertaken by his government, Siddaramaiah questioned whether income tax payers and government employees should hold BPL cards. “Such cases will be shifted to APL (Above Poverty Line) cards from BPL cards. Still, no decision has been made, but there is thinking in this direction,” Siddaramaiah stated.

He insisted that no BPL card would be cancelled outright.

He reasserted that only the cards held by ineligible individuals would be revoked. He assured that no eligible person would be deprived of benefits.

“I have given strict instructions to the Food and Civil Supplies Department that those eligible should not be left out,” Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, KH Muniyappa, also reiterated the state’s commitment to its BPL beneficiaries.

According to him, there are about 1.26 crore BPL cards in Karnataka. He said there would be a review in which individuals may be transitioned from BPL to APL status.

The issue came to light when Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy alleged that the government was converting 11 lakh BPL cards into APL cards and taking food from 11 lakh families.

According to Kumaraswamy, the government was “enacting a drama” to “convert BPL to APL cards” and “reduce the burden on guarantees” on the state government.