Now, reward for identifying fake BPL cards

The State government will soon announce a scheme to reward those who help identify and remove bogus Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards, Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after interacting with party workers at the KPCC office, he said that the department is working out details for the scheme. “Any individual or organisation can pass on information on bogus ration cards to the department. Information about whistleblowers will be kept confidential,” he added.

In a bid to identify bogus cards, information about ration card holders, including their photographs and address, will soon be displayed in front of all fair price shops. The department has alo requested those possessing bogus cards to surrender them voluntarily.

“No action will be taken against such people. Plans are on to book criminal cases against those having bogus cards in coming days,” the minister said. The department has weeded out about seven lakh bogus BPL ration cards in the last one year. So far, about 36 lakh applications have been received for ration cards, including for Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. About four lakh new applications have been issued, he added. When asked about a proposal to open budget canteens,  Gundu Rao said the government is ready to implement it provided the Centre considers it a welfare scheme .