Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Aug 15: The Karnataka government has temporarily halted the cancellation of BPL ration cards to enable a proper review and verification of eligible beneficiaries, minister of state for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs Rizwan Arshad said on Friday.

Addressing the media here on August 15, Udupi district in-charge minister Rizwan Arshad said the Centre had directed the state to cancel around 7.59 lac BPL cards, of which approximately four lac had already been cancelled following the central government’s instructions.

“I have directed officials to temporarily stop the process of cancellation and conduct a proper verification. No further cards should be cancelled for the time being,” Rizwan Arshad said.

He added that the cancellation of around 3.5 lac cards had been temporarily put on hold. The government would discuss the next course of action at the official level, he said.

e-KYC for 2.59 crore ration cards

On e-KYC for ration cards, the minister said the process was last completed around five years ago and that the Centre had now directed the state to undertake it again.

According to Rizwan Arshad, around 2.59 crore ration cards have to undergo e-KYC. The exercise will help identify beneficiaries who have died, those who have moved above the poverty line and those who may no longer require ration cards. “Complete e-KYC by September 31,” he said.

On issuing new BPL cards, Rizwan Arshad said the matter would be discussed at the government level, adding that he had taken charge of the department only a day earlier.

Kuchalakki rice supply to coastal Karnataka

Responding to demands for providing Kuchalakki (boiled rice) through the public distribution system in coastal Karnataka, the minister said he would certainly look into the issue.

“We have made changes according to the requirements of different regions. I will examine whether Kuchalakki can also be supplied here,” he said.

‘BJP has no moral right to criticise us’

Reacting to BJP criticism over reports that minister Zameer Ahmed Khan had declined to hoist the Independence Day flag, Rizwan Arshad said the BJP had no moral standing to criticise the Congress on the issue.

“I will not respond to the BJP’s criticism. The BJP has no moral right to criticise us on this issue. For 52 years, the RSS did not hoist the national flag at its headquarters in Nagpur. There is no need for them to preach morality to us,” he said.

Rizwan Arshad said the Congress had fought against British rule with the national flag and that the same spirit continued in the party.

He said Zameer Ahmed Khan had reportedly declined the responsibility because he did not want the charge of district in-charge minister and felt he had other responsibilities. However, he added that he had been travelling and did not have complete information about the matter.

‘We have not mentioned RSS anywhere’

Responding to BJP allegations that the government was targeting the RSS by restricting programmes on school and Muzrai temple premises, Rizwan Arshad said the government had not specifically mentioned the RSS.

“I do not understand why the RSS is taking this upon itself. Several organisations are not registered, and we do not know which organisations they are,” he said.

The minister said parks and school grounds were being used by various organisations and that the government needed to know who was using such public spaces and what impact such activities could have on children.

“If registered organisations use these premises, it is fine. Unauthorised organisations should not be allowed. We have not mentioned the RSS anywhere,” he said.