Kidney and Cancer patients will come under BPL category – Khader
Mangaluru: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs U T Khader held a press meet at the Circuit House here, on July 1.
Addressing the mediapersons, Khader said, “After taking up the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs ministry, my first preference is to make it easier for people to get ration cards. Since 18 months, 10 lakh applications in the state and 11,000 in DK district for ration cards are pending. We will review all the applications within three months and issue cards for the applicants. The system to apply for ration cards will be made easier.”
Khader further said that the application process for APL cards will be made online so that those who want to apply for the cards can do so from home.
“There are a number of bogus cards which will be cancelled and if anyone informs the government about APL card holders possessing BPL cards, they will be rewarded Rs 400 by the government; their identity will not be revealed. At present, there is a shortage of staff to sort out the applications. To avoid delay in issuing ration cards, authority will be given to Gram Panchayats. This move will also help migrants to avail BPL cards. Currently, there are 600 vacancies in the department which is suffering from 60% shortage of staff. We will try to fill the vacant posts as soon as possible,” assured Khader.
“Earlier while applying for ration cards, many criteria had to be followed but now we have made it easier. Aadhar cards can now be used to apply for BPL cards.”
Khader also said that registered NGOs such as old age homes, orphanages, etc. will get rice for Rs 3 per kg. “People who have HIV, physically challenged, leprosy patients, kidney and cancer patients will be given BPL cards. Those who suffer from Cancer and Kidney ailments can be considered as poor since they will have to spend a lot of money for the treatment, sometimes even by selling their property. Considering all this, we have thought of bringing them under the BPL category.”
When asked about the rumours being spread on social media that U T Khader’s PA had called the jailor to take care of Naresh Shenoy and send him to a private hospital as soon as possible, Khader denied the allegation and said that it was not true. “My PA did not call any jailor to provide such facilities to Naresh Shenoy,” said Khader.