Bengaluru: Karnataka has already cancelled or reclassified 3,65,614 ineligible BPL ration cards, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced during a review meeting of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department held today at Krishna. The CM directed officials to take strict action against ineligible cardholders while ensuring that genuine BPL families face no inconvenience.
Key Directives from the Review Meeting
- BPL Card Verification: Siddaramaiah emphasized that all ineligible BPL ration cards must be identified and cancelled, while deserving families left out must be issued fresh BPL cards without delay.
- Anna Bhagya Scheme Upgrade: The government is considering supplying nutritious grains and essential commodities kits in addition to rice under the scheme. Officials have been instructed to submit a proposal.
- SC/ST Priority in Fair Price Shops: New fair price shops should be allotted on priority to entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- GPS and CCTV for Transparency: All vehicles transporting food grains must be fitted with GPS trackers, and CCTV cameras will be installed in every warehouse across the state to curb diversion and leakage.
- MSP Procurement of Millets: Under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, food grain procurement will involve Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and self-help groups. For the first time, 0.29 lakh metric tonnes of small millets are being purchased.
- Staff Recruitment: Vacant posts in the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation will soon be filled to strengthen service delivery.
CM’s Assurance
The Chief Minister reiterated that while fraudulent beneficiaries will be removed, no eligible family will be denied their rightful BPL benefits. He said the government is committed to making welfare schemes more effective, transparent, and citizen-friendly.
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