Many surrender BPL cards in Kangra

Ravinder Sood

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Palampur, April 24

The decision of the government  to re-identify  the below poverty line  (BPL) families  has  put  the functioning  of the panchayati raj system under a scanner as many families have come to light which never deserved  the BPL status. 

The process of putting nameplates of  beneficiaries  in their houses, along with the date from which he is availing the benefits, has forced many families to  surrender BPL cards.

In  Kangra district alone, dozens of  families have surrendered  BPL cards.  Such reports are still coming from many subdivisions as the process of re-identification may take months to complete. 

Earlier,  such irregularities were highlighted by the media  but the successive governments that ruled the state failed to initiate action against the erring panchayat pradhans and officials who approved the BPL lists without verifying the facts.    

More than 3,500 former and present members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) wrongly took the  benefits under BPL schemes and when the matter came to light, no action was initiated against them despite recommendation by investigating agencies.

The Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department is silent on the issue, an RTI information has   revealed that how influential people took benefits of the government scheme.

Information obtained under the RTI   by Devashish Bhattacharya  in 2013-14  revealed that 10,628 members and former members of PRIs were on the BPL lists in 12 districts. After receiving this information, a complaint was filed to the secretary (RD & PR) to initiate an inquiry for ascertaining the eligibility of these members. 

All deputy commissioners were directed by the then Chief Minister to initiate inquiry. After the SDMs concluded probes, over  3,600 such members were found ineligible.