Congress Legislators Flag BPL Card Cancellations, Seek CM Siddaramaiah's Intervention
At a Congress Legislature Party meeting held late on Wednesday in Bengaluru, several legislators voiced serious concerns regarding the cancellation of below-poverty line (BPL) ration cards belonging to genuinely impoverished families. The lawmakers urgently sought the intervention of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to address this pressing issue, as per sources familiar with the discussions.
Loan Applications Trigger Cancellations
During the meeting, multiple members reported receiving numerous complaints from constituents about BPL cards being abruptly cancelled after families filed income tax returns to secure loans from banks. These loans included those for purchasing autorickshaws and other purposes not covered under government of India schemes, such as personal loans, home loans, and in some instances, education loans.
KY Nanjegowda, the representative from Malur in Kolar district, highlighted the predicament by stating that several low-income families, who rely heavily on free food grains each month, have had their cards withdrawn by officials from the food and civil supplies department. Other Congress MLAs present at the meeting echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for immediate corrective measures.
Unintended Consequences of Filing Tax Returns
The legislators explained that in many cases, families filed income tax returns solely on the advice of banks while applying for loans, without fully understanding the potential implications for their BPL status. Many poor families file returns only because banks require it for loan processing, and this should not automatically disqualify them from essential benefits, argued one Congress MLA.
Another MLA added, We asked the Chief Minister to ensure that these cards are not cancelled unjustly, as it affects the most vulnerable sections of society. The consensus among the MLAs was that the current system lacks adequate safeguards to prevent wrongful deletions of eligible beneficiaries.
Broader Implications for Food Security and Politics
Approximately 64% of Karnataka's population is covered under the BPL programme, which significantly increases the state's budgetary allocations for food grains and healthcare. While the government faces pressure to eliminate ineligible cardholders to optimize subsidy distribution, the recent clean-up exercise has reportedly impacted hundreds of genuinely needy families.
A BPL card provides a family with entitlements such as free monthly food grains, cash compensation for any short supply, and free treatment at government hospitals. The MLAs warned that if not addressed promptly, this issue could adversely affect the party's prospects in the upcoming local body elections, underscoring the political sensitivity of the matter.
Government's Digital Initiative for Transparency
In August, the Karnataka government announced plans to launch a web portal designed to enable eligible individuals to secure BPL ration cards within 24 hours. This initiative aims to streamline the application process, enhance transparency, and ensure that economically disadvantaged citizens can access benefits under the public distribution system more efficiently.
The meeting concluded with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assuring the legislators that he would review the issue thoroughly, indicating a potential reassessment of the cancellation criteria to protect the interests of the poor while maintaining the integrity of the BPL programme.
