Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expressed serious concern over the surge in the number of ineligible BPL (Below Poverty Line) ration cardholders, warning that such irregularities deprive genuinely deserving families of essential welfare benefits.

Addressing a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and department officials at Vidhana Soudha to review progress across various departments, the CM said:

“No district can logically have more than 60% eligible BPL families. If any district reports over 80% BPL cardholders, it is completely unacceptable by any standard.”

Siddaramaiah pointed out that the presence of fake or ineligible BPL cards undermines the integrity of the system. He emphasized the need for immediate corrective action to ensure the benefits reach the rightful beneficiaries.

He also discussed with DCs how to cancel ineligible cards without causing inconvenience to the genuinely eligible. Officials informed the CM that in some cases, even government employees including teachers possess BPL cards, which they do not use for ration but exploit for medical and other subsidies.

Malnutrition Concerns: Scientific Report Ordered
Turning attention to child welfare, Siddaramaiah instructed that in districts with high malnutrition levels, the number of severely malnourished children should be reduced by at least 1% annually. He directed regular health check-ups and monitoring of hemoglobin levels in children and insisted on a scientific report to determine why nutritional supplements like milk, eggs, and tablets have failed to show improvement in certain areas. “Based on this report, necessary reforms must be implemented,” he said.

Land Acquisition Delays in NH Projects: CM Upset
The CM also took strong exception to technical delays in land acquisition for various National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects. “How long will you repeat the same excuses?” he asked the officials sharply.

“If needed, we are ready to appoint a special officer exclusively for land acquisition. Unless pending projects are completed, we cannot expect approval for new highway plans,” he warned.

Key Directives from CM Siddaramaiah:
Yuvanidhi scheme beneficiaries must be provided both employment and skill training opportunities.
Forest department staff must not harass shepherds unnecessarily.
The government’s order to issue gun licenses to shepherds for self-defense and protection of livestock must be strictly implemented.
The Minor Irrigation Department should conduct fish farming tenders and auctions through e-tendering in lakes.
Lakes must be developed to promote tourism activities.