Bengaluru: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader on Sunday said the food and civil supplies department has succeeded in identifying and cancelling around 8 lakh bogus ration cards after making linking of ration cards with Aadhar mandatory.
Speaking with media persons at a function organized by Manasa CI & ENT Centre in Bengaluru, Minister Khader said that there would be no benefit for the poor people in the state by supplying extra food grains without cancelling bogus ration cards. “There is a possibility of cancelling one more lakh bogus ration cards across the state. With this the number of bogus ration cards will reach nine lakhs. The state government has taken this decision in the interest of poor people,’’ Minister Khader said.
The minister said the ration cardholders could avail of PDS coupons over the phone. He said that one has to dial 161 and then press 4 and subsequently type the Aadhaar number. “The ration-card holders will get a unique number on their mobile phones. They can avail the food grains at the fair price shops by showing the unique number,’’ he said.
Canteen for orphans
The minister said that there was no proposal before the state government to introduce canteens in the state on the lines of Amma Canteens in Tamil Nadu. “If we open canteens on the lines of Amma Canteens in Tamil Nadu, not many people would like to avail the facility by paying money. We have a plan to open canteens for orphans. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has identified 150 locations in Bengaluru city for this purpose,’’ the minister said.
Deaf-free Karnataka
Appreciating Manasa IC & ENT Centre for introducing treatment for profound bilateral sensor neural hearing loss, the minister said the state government has the goal of making deaf-free Karnataka. “One has to spent Rs 6 lakh to Rs 7 lakh to avail this treatment. We will make efforts to get at least Rs 5 lakh for the beneficiaries from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. We want to launch a special scheme for children suffering from profound bilateral sensor neural hearing loss. It will help poor to avail this treatment,’’ the minister said.
