Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Jul 5: Though the government was formed after the assembly elections, the scrutiny of ration card applications, which was stopped due to the implementation of Election Code of Conduct, has not started yet. The applicants who had applied for new ration cards and corrections on existing ones are running helter-skelter not knowing what needs to be done.
The work related to ration cards has been stopped since March 27. However, people who are unaware of this, are visiting the Food and Civil Supplies department every day and going back without getting their job done.
None of the work like receipt of applications for new ration cards, and addition or omission of names in the existing ration cards is being done at the department. Only temporary cards are being given for any corrections that were processed before the Election Code of Conduct came into force.
Reason for stoppage
The concerned officials say that of late, ration card processing is being done online. However, as there are some issues with the system, the department has decided to adopt the new technology. That is why, the process of ration card related work is stopped. In addition, the department is also implementing a separate software in order to avoid major issues like issuing Below Poverty Line (BPL) card to an entirely different person by attaching the income certificate of some other person.
In the district of Udupi, out of the 25,000 BPL ration card applications, 19,000 have been already distributed. The applications that were given before the elections, for revising the names on the card have been scrutinized. However, 3,000 Above Poverty Line (APL) applications are pending. Ration card distribution is yet to be done. This process was also affected due to updating of the software.
Increase in number of BPL card holders
As the income limit for BPL card is raised to Rs 1.2 lac per annum, the number of people applying for BPL card by cancelling their existing APL card is on the rise. Earlier, in order to get the ration card, RR number (electricity meter number), door number of house and house tax receipt were required. However, now only Aadhar card is sufficient to get the ration card. The only condition is that the names should not be added to some other ration card. Hence, many people are getting separate ration cards showing them as a nuclear family.
Priyanka Mary Francis, deputy commissioner of Udupi district says, "Earlier, people were informed repeatedly to link the Aadhar card with the ration card. However, as many were not in town, they did not do the same. The names of such people, who did not link their Aadhar card to the ration card have been removed from the list. Some of these have got Aadhar card done now. They have to apply again to add their names to the ration card. As the ration card process is stopped now, they are also facing the problem. I have written a letter to the government in this regard."
M R Bhat, deputy director of Food and Civil Supplies department, Udupi district says, "This issue of ration card is related to the whole state of Karnataka. I have written a letter to the commissioner of the department. Action needs to be taken at the government level."