'Anthyodaya, BPL ration cards largely misused'

Members of various organisations, along with public, staged a protest complaining that Anthyodaya and BPL ration cards, meant for the poor, are being misused, near Deputy Commissioner’s office, here, on Friday.

The protesters claimed that ineligible persons were enjoying the benefits meant for the poor and the downtrodden. They demanded that a vigilance committee be constituted to curb the menace. Steps should be taken to put an end to the irregularities and stringent action be taken against those misusing the schemes.

They demanded that the unit system currently adopted should be cancelled and a scientific system be introduced for the benefit of poor people.

On the recent Supreme Court’s direction that Aadhaar cards be linked with ration cards, they said, the authorities should reconsider the issue. ‘Padithara Adalat’ should be held regularly to solve the issues faced by the cardholders, they added. Later, they submitted a memorandum to chief minister through Deputy Commissioner Dr Ajay Nagabushan.