Govt to review BPL, IRDP, Antodaya beneficiary lists for fair selection

The Himachal Pradesh Government will start reviewing the lists of beneficiaries under the Below Poverty Line (BPL), Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Antodaya schemes from April 2025. The Panchayati Raj Department has developed a roadmap to ensure a fair selection process.

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Currently, around 2.60 lakh families are registered under the BPL category, receiving benefits such as subsidised food grains, housing, medical care, and education. Out of 3,615 panchayats, only 38 are BPL-free. However, irregularities have been reported in districts like Kangra, Mandi, and Chamba, where ineligible families—owning vehicles, holding government jobs, or possessing agricultural land above the permissible limit—have been included in the beneficiary lists.

To enhance transparency, the government has introduced new guidelines, which will be shared in the Gram Sabha meetings in April 2025. A two-member committee, comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the Block Development Officer (BDO), will now verify the BPL lists recommended by the Gram Sabha. This marks a shift from the earlier system, where panchayats had sole authority, leading to unfair selections.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has emphasised the need for a robust mechanism to ensure that only deserving families receive benefits. The revised income criteria for BPL eligibility have been raised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,50,000 per annum. However, beneficiaries must not own a four-wheeler, a cemented house, or have a family member in government service.

In case of objections, grievances can be submitted to the respective Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners, who have been authorised to review and address complaints.

Earlier, large-scale irregularities deprived many poor families of benefits due to the unchecked power of panchayats. In villages of Palampur, Baijnath and Jaisinghpur subdivisions, several deserving families were left out while ineligible households were included. Beneficiaries in the BPL category receive food grains at Rs 2 per kg, along with free housing, medical care, and education.

The government’s new measures aim to ensure fairness and transparency, preventing misuse of welfare schemes and reaching those who genuinely need support.