Karnataka plans to raise BPL card income ceiling to Rs 3 lac: K H Muniyappa

Bengaluru, Jul 26: The Karnataka government is taking steps to increase the annual income limit for Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards from Rs 1.20 lac to Rs 3 lac, food and civil supplies minister K H Muniyappa said on Saturday.

Addressing reporters after chairing a review meeting of the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority along with chairman H M Revanna, Muniyappa said the move is based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission.

He also said the tender process for the Rs 6,000-crore Indira Kit scheme is in its final stages, with distribution expected to begin within the next two months. The proposed kit will include 5 kg of rice, 1 kg each of tur dal, moong dal, sugar, and salt, along with 1 litre of cooking oil.

Highlighting the government's welfare initiatives, the minister said 4.42 crore beneficiaries are currently receiving 10 kg of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme as part of efforts to make Karnataka hunger-free.

On the verification of ration cards, Muniyappa clarified that no cards would be cancelled. Instead, ineligible BPL cardholders would be shifted to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category in accordance with union government guidelines.

To prevent diversion of Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrains, the department has installed CCTV cameras at warehouses, introduced GPS tracking for foodgrain transport vehicles, and established a command-and-control centre. It has also deployed 33 additional inspection vehicles to strengthen the monitoring of weights and measures.

Muniyappa said the department has registered 1,497 FIRs and seized PDS foodgrains worth Rs 50 crore during enforcement drives.

The government has directed 20,259 fair price shops to remain open from 6 am to 10 pm and urged beneficiaries to report violations through the 1967 helpline. It is also considering allowing beneficiaries to complete e-KYC using their mobile phones.

The minister further said that under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, the government has procured 5.60 lac tonnes of ragi from farmers.