In a significant move by the Karnataka government, over 10,000 ration cards were cancelled in Koppal district alone, as part of an ongoing crackdown on ineligible beneficiaries. This action was part of a larger state-wide initiative aimed at weeding out ineligible BPL (Below Poverty Line) cardholders, with several districts already seeing thousands of cancellations.

According to the Koppal District Food and Civil Supplies Department, a total of 10,062 ration cards were revoked due to various reasons, sparking heated discussions among locals regarding the eligibility of their own BPL cards. The department cited several key reasons for the cancellations, which have left many families unsure of their entitlements.

Reasons for Ration Card Cancellations

1. Income Above Eligibility Threshold: One of the primary reasons for the cancellations was the annual income of beneficiaries. A total of 8,905 families in Koppal were found to have an income exceeding the prescribed limit of Rs 1.20 lakh, disqualifying them from receiving subsidised rations under the BPL scheme.
2. Non-Usage of Ration Cards: In some cases, families had not collected their rations for extended periods. The district authorities reported that 1,100 families had not picked up their rations for at least six months.
3. Government Employees: Families where even a single member was a government employee were ineligible for BPL cards. This resulted in the cancellation of cards for 57 such households in Koppal.

The district, which serves a population through 445 fair-price shops, has approximately 2,85,622 BPL cardholders and 36,981 APL (Above Poverty Line) cardholders. Every month, around 60,000 metric tonnes of food grains are distributed across the district, with the government utilising a data-driven approach to assess eligibility. The cancellation process was streamlined through the use of family income information, cross-referenced with linked PAN cards and mobile numbers, and has led to the revocation of more than 10,000 cards in Koppal alone.

Impact on Beneficiaries
The cancellation of BPL cards raised concerns among affected families, especially in terms of the services and schemes that they will now be excluded from. Losing eligibility for the BPL card meant that families might also lose access to other government benefits, including:

• Ayushman Bharat Scheme (Health Insurance)
• Student Scholarships and Stipends
• Chief Minister’s Relief Fund
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

Political Reactions
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy strongly criticised the government’s decision to cancel BPL cards, arguing that it will leave vulnerable families without the necessary support. However, state minister Muniappa maintained that no cards were “cancelled" per se, but rather updated from BPL to APL status, which was a less generous entitlement.
In a statement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the government had only cancelled the cards of those who were ineligible based on the established criteria. He emphasised that this was part of an ongoing effort to ensure that only deserving families benefit from subsidised rations.

The Criteria for BPL EligibilityThe state government set clear criteria for eligibility under the BPL and Antyodaya schemes. These rules were strictly enforced, and those who failed to meet the standards were deemed ineligible. Key conditions for disqualification included:

1. Government Employees: Any family member employed by the government was not eligible for BPL benefits.
2. Income Tax Payers: Families who paid Income Tax, Service Tax, VAT, or Profession Tax were considered ineligible.
3. Land Ownership: Households in rural areas owning more than 3 hectares of land (whether dryland or irrigated) were ineligible for the BPL scheme.
4. Property Size: In urban areas, families owning homes larger than 1,000 square feet were excluded from the BPL list.
5. Vehicle Ownership: Families owning four-wheel vehicles (except those using commercial vehicles such as tractors, maxi cabs, or taxis for livelihood purposes) were also ineligible.
6. Income Level: Any family with an annual income exceeding Rs 1.20 lakh did not qualify for BPL benefits.

What’s Next for Affected Families?
The changes left many families feeling uncertain about their future access to government welfare schemes. While some saw their BPL cards converted to APL status, others faced a complete loss of eligibility. The government assured that the cancellation process was transparent and aimed at ensuring that only those truly in need receive subsidised food grains.