List of BPL families to be revised from April: CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the exercise to revise the list of BPL families will commence from April, 2025.

Presiding over a review meeting of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department here today, the Chief Minister directed officials to formulate a new criteria to ensure that only eligible families are included in the BPL list.

He added that the state government was also considering revision of the annual income criterion for selecting BPL families.

He instructed the department to formulate this criterion before January 5, 2025, followed by the approval of the Cabinet.

The new guidelines will be shared with the general public during the Gram Sabha meetings scheduled in January, he stated.

In order to ensure transparency, Sukhu directed the officials to constitute a two-member committee, comprising the SDM and BDO, at the sub-divisional level to verify the lists of BPL families recommended by the Gram Sabha.

He emphasised on a robust mechanism to identify eligible beneficiaries to ensure that they are not deprived of the benefits.

The Chief Minister said any objections against the final list of BPL families could be submitted to the respective Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner, who will have the authority to review and address these grievances.

He said a comprehensive website would be launched for showcasing various products prepared by women self-help groups, which will also be available for home delivery.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Rajesh Sharma, Director Raghav Sharma and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.