Waiting in vain for the BPL card

KOCHI: The apathy on the part of officials at local self-government bodies is costing dear for thousands of deserving Below Poverty Line (BPL) families across the state. They are denied of subsidies on ration, housing and health benefits. The BPL family list as per the survey done in 2009 is lying in local self-government offices covered by cobwebs.In 2007, the government authorised Kudumbashree to conduct the BPL family identification survey in order to eradicate poverty, but this was found to be  inaccurate. Many of the eligible families were not included in the list and many ineligible families got into it. Due to the discrepancies the list was cancelled. In 2008 teachers conducted a survey again and the list was submitted to the self-governing institutions. In 2010 the grama sabhas verified the lists and returned them to the respective local self-government. But the local self-governing bodies have not passed the list even now to the supply office. “We are not entitled to the ration benefits as we do not have the BPL card,” said Geetha, a housemaid. She has to pay extra money for rice, sugar and kerosene. Like her there are many people who have to pay a lot for their daily bread.BPL card is issued by the ration officer but it can be done only when the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) forwards the documents. Since 2010 the BPL families are denied of their rights because of the lethargic attitude of the government officials. The district supply officer said he was helpless as the department has not received the files from the panchayats. “If the government gives orders we are ready to issue the cards but all the documents are with the respective panchayats, municipalities and corporations,” said M P Chandrakumar, District Supply Officer.  For the speedy recovery of the documents from the local self-governing bodies Kerala Bhurahita Bhavanrahita Samiti had brought the issue up during the LDF government’s time but nothing has been done so far. The samithi is  planning to take up the issue with the Chief Minister again.