Mangaluru: In a significant move aimed at reducing government expenditure, the state government has initiated a comprehensive review of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards across Coastal Karnataka. This scrutiny affects a substantial number of beneficiaries in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, prompting concerns and confusion among ration card holders.
In Dakshina Kannada district, 54,093 BPL cards are under review, while Udupi district is scrutinising 39,627 cards. Authorities estimate that around 2% of these cards may be cancelled, although they have assured that no cancellations will occur without a thorough investigation.
The review process has created challenges for many beneficiaries, particularly those relying on the Anna Bhagya scheme, who must now provide additional documentation to support their claims. Initially, a list of potentially ineligible ration cards was distributed to all ration dealers, leading to an influx of individuals visiting taluk offices to submit required documents such as Aadhaar and income certificates.
Many individuals are expressing frustration regarding the cancellation process. For instance, Bhavani from Kundapura questioned why she was asked to provide income tax returns despite never having filed them. “They are asking for IT returns. I have never paid income tax. Where will I get the documents from?” she lamented.
Food inspectors have been granted the authority to suspend or cancel BPL cards. If a card is suspended or cancelled, the cardholder has the right to request a review by submitting an income certificate. Following this, the food inspector will conduct a personal verification to determine the card’s status. If a card is suspended, both the food inspector and tahsildar can appeal to the district deputy director for reinstatement. However, once a card is cancelled, a new application must be submitted. It’s worth noting that new BPL cards are currently not being issued, and cards will be cancelled if any household member resides abroad.
Individuals who have filed income tax returns for loans or other purposes are also facing complications. Even ownership of a car can lead to card cancellation. The scrutiny process is further complicated by the linking of Aadhaar details, which can reveal undisclosed income. The food department already has access to the bank details of eligible beneficiaries, making the verification process even more rigorous.
Statewide, there are significant figures concerning ineligible BPL cards. These include:
- 10,97,621 ineligible BPL cards
- 1,06,152 Antyodaya cards
- 10,54,368 cards linked to individuals with an annual income exceeding Rs. 1.2 lakh
- 4,272 cards associated with government and semi-government employees
This current review follows a similar effort four years ago when ineligible cards were identified through information from the RTO and MESCOM. Cardholders were given a deadline to surrender their cards or convert them to Above Poverty Line (APL) cards, with penalties imposed on those who failed to comply. In Dakshina Kannada district alone, Rs. 26,89,406 was collected from 6,956 ineligible cards, although penalties were later waived due to objections.
The verification process is actively ongoing, with a list of cards sent to all districts. Authorities maintain that no card will be cancelled without comprehensive verification. The financial condition of households will be assessed, and cancellations will only occur if cards are determined to be ineligible.
According to guidelines set in 2016, individuals are ineligible for BPL cards if they are government or semi-government employees, income taxpayers, or own more than 3 hectares of land in rural areas or 1,000 square feet in urban areas. Additionally, families must not own private vehicles (except tractors, cabs, or taxis), and their annual income should not exceed Rs. 1.20 lakh.
Dakshina Kannada: A breakdown of ineligible cards includes:
- Puttur: 5,402
- Sulya: 2,998
- Bantwal: 8,835
- Belthangady: 7,075
- Kadaba: 2,911
- Mangalore: 14,092
- Moodbidri: 2,865
- Mulki: 1,932
- Ullal: 7,983
Out of the 39,627 BPL cards, 34,112 have been verified, with only 464 found ineligible. Karkala has the highest number of potentially ineligible cards at 6,689, followed by Kundapura, Udupi, Kapu, Brahmavar, Byndoor, and Hebri.
The ongoing review of BPL cards in Coastal Karnataka is a complex process that underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that welfare benefits are directed to those most in need. However, the challenges faced by beneficiaries highlight the need for clear communication and support throughout the verification process.