"Where is genuineness to safeguard interests of common, poor people?": Kumaraswamy on BPL card row
Nov 21, 2024
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 21 : Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday questioned the Congress government's genuineness in safeguarding the interests of the common and poor people in Karnataka after the state government decided to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders there.
The Union Minister questioned what was the fault of the people, noting that the state government needs to properly implement food security in the state.
"Where is the fault? Where is the genuineness to safeguard the interests of the common man, poor people? They have to properly bring into effect the implementation of food security," Kumaraswamy stated.
This came following a row regarding the cancellation of BPL cards, which had been politicised by the BJP, as claimed by the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivkumar.
On Monday, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister lashed out at the BJP for "politicising the government's decision to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders".
Speaking to reporters, he said, "We are not taking anyone's food away. BJP has no other business than politicising. The percentage of BPL card holders in many constituencies is around 90 per cent. My constituency has 90 per cent, and Holenarasipura has 92 per cent BPL card holders. Hence, we need to ensure that genuine and needy people get BPL cards. Some BPL cards have been cancelled after review."
On Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also clarified the issues and stated that only ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards would be retrieved, and there would be no impact on eligible cardholders.
He stated, "The claim that BPL cards are being cancelled is entirely incorrect. We are looking into retrieving cards that have been issued to ineligible persons. The Food Department is currently verifying these cases, and no final decision has been taken yet. Ineligible individuals will not retain cards, but eligible beneficiaries will not be denied their entitlements."
Meanwhile, on the matter of the hike in charges at the Bengaluru government hospitals, Kumaraswamy said, "In all the issues, the state government is putting the burden on the common man to implement the five guarantee programmes. For that, they are unnecessarily burdening the common man. This is not good."
Speaking on the results of the by-election in the Channapatna, the Union Minister said, "I participated in the campaign there for 15 days. I know how people feel. There is no doubt. NDA candidate will win."
