Umesh Katti backtracks after receiving flak for comment on BPL cards

After receiving widespread flak for asking households with televisions and two-wheelers to give up their Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards earlier than March 31 or face motion, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Katti on Monday went into injury management mode by saying that not one of the earlier authorities orders have been modified both by him or the federal government.

His earlier assertion on returning BPL cards was criticised by many leaders, together with a few of his social gathering colleagues. In a bid to make clear his place, Mr. Katti despatched out a press release detailing the three earlier orders with respect to the parameters for receiving Above Poverty Line (APL) card, BPL card, and the Antyodaya card that’s given to extraordinarily poor households. “No orders have been issued after the BJP government came to power. I have not issued any order after taking over as Minister either,” he stated.

It was additionally acknowledged within the be aware that the federal government had obtained data that many individuals had remained beneficiaries by violating the present parameters to safe these cards. The Minister urged such households to voluntarily give up the cards earlier than March 31 or face motion.

The Minister additionally instructed the media that about 4.36 crore folks out of the 6.5 crore inhabitants within the State, or about 75% of Karnataka’s inhabitants, had BPL cards. “Many people would have started earning in the private sector. Those earning above ₹1.2 lakh per annum are not eligible to hold the BPL card. The poor need not worry,” he stated.

Backlash

However, by the point he learn out his clarification earlier than the cameras in Belagavi, a number of leaders, together with former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and H.D. Kumaraswamy, had taken exception to the transfer.

Mr. Katti’s social gathering colleague and Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda Gowda stated in Bengaluru that although he too needed solely these with eligibility to obtain the ration profit, a widespread session was required earlier than taking any choice on who was to obtain the profit and who was not. “The ineligible people should not get it BPL benefits. It is normal for every household these days to have a TV and refrigerator. Some may buy two-wheelers for the convenience of commute. He [Minister Katti] may have spoken about the merits for eligibility orally. This matter requires widespread consultation.”

BJP legislator G. Somashekar Reddy additionally stated that TV was a standard factor now and such authorities choices would have an effect on the poor. Meanwhile, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa refused to comment on the difficulty, saying he would accomplish that after studying by means of Mr. Katti’s assertion.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy instructed reporters in Shivamogga, “The decision of asking farmers with five acres to surrender BPL card is immature as well as anti-people. Does the Minister know what the situation of farmers who own five acres is? It is a bad decision.”