Mysuru: The government is planning to provide food (night meal) for destitutes across the state beginning with Bengaluru city to ensure that no one remains hungry.
Speaking about the project, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies UT Khader said that night meals will be served across 150 centers near prime locations in Bengaluru like railway station and Bus –stations. The BBMP co-ordination program will involve voluntary organisations in the distribution which will be gradually extended to other parts of the state .The program will be similar to one in force in neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
He said the confusion regarding the ration cards will be cleared within three months. So far around 6.5 bogus ration cards have been eliminated and in future ration cards will be similar to Aadhar cards. The new card system is being tried at two places in Bengaluru city and will be extended throughout the state gradually.
Family income to decide APL/BPL category
Due to increase in the number of complaints in the distribution of cards on the APL and BPL basis, family income will be taken into account to prevent anomalies, he said. This will help in weeding out the BPL cards held by the rich and the data will be analyzed in close co-ordination with the state revenue department to prevent irregularities in future.
In order to reduce the pressure on existing fair price shops, the ration distribution will be done in stores near Faire Price shops and those store owners will receive 3 per cent commission, he said. At the Gram panchyath level, if GP members come forward they will be allowed to open FP shops depending upon the population and after registration with the revenue department. There is proposal to increase the rice quota of 4kgs from present, he confirmed.
