State to hold Gram Sabha meetings in July, finalise BPL lists

In a major statewide exercise aimed at identification of economically weaker sections, adoption of solid waste management and sanitation rules, registration of cattle and adoption of precautionary measures in rainy season and prevention of diseases, Gram Sabha meetings will be conducted in a phased manner across all districts of the state throughout the month of July.

The key agenda of these meetings will be review and finalisation of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiary lists under the updated criteria. Many other important issues of rural areas are also on the cards for discussion and adoption.

As per official sources, a total of 2,15,139 families have submitted applications to be included in the revised BPL list. The last date for submission of applications was May 17 following which the verification process was set in motion by the Panchayati Raj Department.

To ensure fairness, accuracy and transparency, three-member verification committees have been constituted in each panchayat. These committees comprise Panchayat Secretary, Patwari and an Anganwadi worker. The committees have been appointed under the supervision of respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs).

These teams are currently engaged in scrutinising income claims and eligibility criteria based on self-declared affidavits submitted by applicants. Only those families with a verifiable annual income of less than Rs 50,000 are being considered for inclusion in the final list.

Kangra District Panchayat Officer Vikram Thakur told The Tribune that once the verification was complete, the findings would be presented before the Gram Sabhas, where the final selection of eligible BPL households would be taken.

“The panchayats will play a pivotal role in approving the lists, ensuring that genuinely deserving families are prioritised based on ground-level assessment,” he said.

The entire process — from verification to final ratification — was expected to be completed by October 15, the official said.

The highest number of BPL applications has been received in Kangra district. As many as 47,316 families have applied for BPL cards in this district.

The other districts with significant numbers include Mandi-41,160, Chamba-40,357, Shimla- 26,202, Hamirpur-12,570, Kullu-10,131, Bilaspur-10,198, Solan-9,622, Sirmaur-7,972, Una- 7,293, Kinnaur-1,851 and Lahaul & Spiti-467 families.

MAIN AGENDAS OF GRAM SABHA MEETINGS

1. Sanction BPL cards for eligible families.

2. Adoption of waste management rules.

3. Mandatory registration of cattle.

4. Adoption of precautions in rainy season.

5. Prevention of diseases in rainy season.