Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader. DH file photo
The state government has again changed rules for issuing ration cards for the poor. But this time, it has relaxed the norms which come into place with immediate effect.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader said from now on, submitting a self declaration that the annual income of the family of the applicant is below Rs 1.2 lakh per annum and a copy of the income certificate are sufficient to procure a BPL ration card.
Hitherto, the applicant had to apply for a ration card and the food and civil supplies department officials would verify and make a spot inspection before issuing the card.
However, Khader said the department will do a random check and “cheating cases” will be filed against those who have made false self-declarations.
Khader also announced that ration card holders from April will have to procure their entitlements before the 15th of every month.
“This is to ensure proper stock taking. Delays by fair price shop owners in sending their closing balance for the month resulted in a chain reaction deferring the supply of allotments for the next month,” he said.
However, deputy commissioners will have the powers to extend the deadline for procurement of entitlements by PDS beneficiaries depending on the situation.
DH News Service