Karwar: In order to weed out ineligible persons and plug leakages in the public distribution system, Food & Civil Supplies Department officials have come forward to track people who are possessing illegal BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards.
Recently, the department sent circulars to its deputy directors in all the districts to trace such people. It has issued a strict warning to those possessing illegal BPL cards and has given a deadline of September 30 to surrender them or face criminal action. Accordingly, the process of tracing illegal BPL cardholders is in progress in Uttara Kannada district.
The deputy director of the district has already held a meeting with taluk-level officials and has directed them identity the ineligible people.
'Details collected'
Deputy Director Puttuswamy said that it had come to the notice that many who have availed BPL cards by producing fake documents are causing huge loss to the government’s exchequer. Moreover, the pro-people schemes that are meant for economically weaker families are availed by others. The department has taken steps to prevent this and ensure that the needy get government benefits.
He added that the department had already collected details of ineligible cardholders. If they voluntarily surrender their cards before September 30, they would be free from fine and criminal proceedings.
'Cannot escape'
Speaking to DH, the official said, everything has been digitalised in recent days, and there will be a link on the persons income, family and other details. Those, who are above poverty line, but possess BPL cards should surrender them, before the deadline. Otherwise, the department would identify them and fix a penalty, based on the period they have enjoyed the government benefits. Criminal action would also be initiated, he warned.
e-KYC
He said that the Aadhaar-based biometric authentication of ration card-holding family members (e-KYC) is also in progress. The Department has information about all the beneficiaries and it is linking the Aadhar number with the ration cards. In the first phase of this, Aadhaar-based biometric authentication is being done. This will help in checking illegal card holders from taking the benefit.
Who are ineligible?
As per Food & Civil Supplies Department rules, people paying income tax, those residing in urban areas who own a house of more than 1,000 square feet, government employees, cooperative institution permanent employees, those working in banks, advocates, auditors, employees of aided educational institutions, commission agents, corporate company employees and pensioners whose annual income is over Rs 1.20 lakh are not eligible for BPL ration cards.
Puttuswamy Deputy Director of Food & Civil Supplies
“The Department of Food & Civil Supplies will temporarily issue ration cards to those who have lost their cards in the floods in Uttara Kannada district. So, flood-affected people have to give their names, address and information on family members to the officials so that the cards can be traced. Then temporary cards will be issued to them.