Bengaluru: The recent controversy over the revision of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards has ignited a public outrage in Karnataka. The ruling Congress government faces mounting criticism after the Food Department cancelled thousands of BPL cards, citing ineligibility. This has led to widespread protests from the public, with many families voicing their anger over the sudden removal of their ration cards. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched attack on the state government, accusing it of taking action against the poor and vulnerable.
The issue erupted when the state government, under the guidance of the e-governance department, decided to cancel over 22 lakh BPL cards in August. The reasoning provided by the government was that the beneficiaries were ineligible, as they were either government employees or income taxpayers. However, the move has been met with backlash, as many of the affected families do not fall into these categories and rely on these cards for essential food supplies.
CM retracts after backlash
Amid growing discontent, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been forced to step in, issuing a media release aimed at calming the public. In his statement on Thursday the Chief Minister made it clear that the BPL cards of any family members, except government employees and tax-paying individuals, should not have been canceled. He has ordered Food Department officials to immediately reinstate the cards of all other affected families, citing that no ration cards should be canceled without a valid reason. The CM further warned that strict action would be taken against officials found guilty of wrongly canceling cards or causing undue hardship to the poor.
Despite these assurances, the BJP has launched a full-scale campaign against the government’s actions. Leaders of the opposition party have visited the homes of those whose BPL cards were revoked, offering their support to the affected families. Leader of opposition and prominent BJP leader R Ashok, along with several other party members, has been actively engaging with the public in areas such as Bangalore’s Mahalakshmi Layout, where many families have been impacted. The BJP’s strategy appears to be gaining traction, as people increasingly turn to social media and news outlets to voice their frustration.
The BJP is accusing the Congress-led state government of unfairly targeting the poor, alleging that the cancellation of BPL cards is a deliberate move to reduce welfare benefits ahead of the upcoming elections. They claim that the poor, many of whom already struggle to make ends meet, are now being further burdened by the government’s actions. The party is calling for immediate reinstatement of all canceled BPL cards, as well as a comprehensive review of the entire process to ensure that no eligible family is left without support.
Controversy raises question on transparency
The controversy has also raised questions about the transparency of the e-governance system and its reliance on data provided by the Food Department. Opposition argued that the government’s approach is too rigid and has not taken into account the real-life circumstances of many families who may have been unfairly categorized as ineligible. Some have pointed out that the lack of proper consultation with communities before implementing such a sweeping policy has contributed to the anger.
In response to the mounting criticism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for a review of the entire process and emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that no eligible family is deprived of their rightful ration. He has assured the public that the Food Department will take necessary corrective measures, including re-issuing canceled BPL cards where applicable.
As the issue continues to unfold, it is clear that the BPL card revision has become a contentious topic in Karnataka’s political discourse. While the government is attempting to address the issue, the BJP is using the opportunity to fuel public outrage, positioning itself as the defender of the poor and marginalized. With both parties making strong statements, this issue looks set to shape the political landscape in the run-up to the next election, as it strikes a chord with voters who are concerned about their access to basic necessities.
The situation remains fluid, and with Siddaramaiah’s intervention, all eyes will be on the government’s next steps to resolve the crisis and restore public trust.
R Ashok and other BJP Leaders visit the poor
In a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka, Leader of Opposition, R. Ashok, accused the government of exploiting the poor under the guise of the “Anna Bhagya” scheme, stating that instead of providing food, the government was involved in “robbing” the poor. During his visit to the Arasu Colony in the slum area in Bengaluru, Ashok criticised the Congress government for its handling of the BPL (Below Poverty Line) card issue, particularly the cancellation of BPL cards for government employees.
Ashok took particular issue with the Chief Minister’s statement that BPL cards for government employees had been canceled. According to government statistics, 250 government employees were reportedly in possession of BPL cards, yet the decision to cancel a total of 12 lakh BPL cards raised questions. Ashok questioned the rationale behind this mass cancellation, pointing out the contradictions in the government’s claims.
ಬಡ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳ ಬಿಪಿಎಲ್ ಕಾರ್ಡುಗಳನ್ನು ರದ್ದುಗೊಳಿಸಿರುವ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಕುತಂತ್ರ ಬಯಲು ಮಾಡಲು ಜಯನಗರ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಪುಟ್ಟೇನ್ ಪಾಳ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಅರಸು ಕಾಲೋನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಪಿಎಲ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ರದ್ದುಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಬಡ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳ ಮನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಅವರ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಆಲಿಸಲಾಯಿತು.
ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ
ಮಾಜಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು… pic.twitter.com/V9E3FGU2VU— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 21, 2024
Further, Ashok highlighted the food minister’s claim that citizens could apply for new BPL cards, questioning the transparency and process behind the cancellations. “When BPL cards are being canceled, did you issue a notice or ask for applications? Why should the poor suffer for your mistakes?” Ashok fumed. He also accused the government of corruption, alleging that the process of applying for new BPL cards was being used as an opportunity for bribes, thus exploiting the very people it claimed to help.
The edifice of the Congress Govt in Karnataka stands on lies and deceit. Governance in Karnataka under CM @siddaramaiah and DCM @DKShivakumar has been reduced to a joke!
Unable to fulfil and sustain the promise of 5 guarantees, @INCKarnataka Government has cancelled 11 lakh BPL… pic.twitter.com/DPpaBy3BC8
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 21, 2024
Ashok’s remarks underscore growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of welfare schemes, particularly the “Anna Bhagya” scheme, which aims to provide food to the poor. The opposition has seized upon this issue as a point of contention, accusing the state government of mismanagement and exploitation of vulnerable sections of society.
ರೇಷನ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಅಕ್ಕಿಯನ್ನೇ ನಂಬಿಕೊಂಡು ಬದುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಬಡ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಬಿಪಿಎಲ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ರದ್ದು ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾನ ಮಾರ್ಯಾದೆ ಇದೆಯಾ? ಸಣ್ಣಪುಟ್ಟ ಸಾಲಗಳಿಗೂ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಐಟಿ ರಿಟರ್ನ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಿರಬೇಕು ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಬಡವರು ಐಟಿ ರಿಟರ್ನ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಿರುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಇಂತಹ ಜನರ ಅನ್ನವನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ… pic.twitter.com/dw06Zc2BCp
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 20, 2024
Former CM Bommai alleged government stealing food from poor
In a sharp critique of the Siddaramaiah-led government, Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai accused the state government of “stealing the food from the poor” and pushing the state into a state of turmoil. He expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government’s decision to cancel the ration cards of the state’s poorest citizens, particularly those who earn a modest income of two to three thousand rupees a month. Bommai emphasized that many of these individuals, who had worked hard to earn their livelihoods, now faced the harsh reality of losing access to essential food supplies.
Bommai further pointed out that despite many individuals struggling for years to obtain ration cards, there were still countless families who had not received them. Now, with the cancellation of the cards, those affected would be forced to wait another three years to reapply and potentially receive a new card. He also criticised the government for shifting its focus from providing food security under the “Anna (rice)Bhagya” scheme to what he referred to as “Hasivu Bhagya,”(hungry bagya) implying that the government was favoring certain communities and neglecting the true welfare of the poor.
Bommai’s statement highlighted the growing discontent among the public, particularly the marginalized sections of society, over the government’s handling of welfare schemes and its apparent disregard for the needs of the poor. His comments reflect the escalating political tension surrounding the issue of ration card cancellations and the perceived failure of the government’s social welfare initiatives.
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