Karnataka pauses BPL ration card cancellations for review

Karnataka has paused the cancellation of additional BPL ration cards until a detailed review is completed, minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs Rizwan Arshad said on Saturday. The Centre had provided data identifying around 7.5 lakh ration cards for cancellation. Nearly four lakh cards had already been cancelled on its directions.

Arshad said he has directed officials to stop further cancellations. The remaining 3.5 lakh pending cancellations are on hold. He will consult the state government to determine next steps. The minister also urged all ration cardholders to complete KYC by September 30. The Centre has directed the state to conduct a fresh KYC drive covering 2.59 crore ration cards, which will help assess deaths of cardholders and identify ineligible BPL beneficiaries.

Arshad said Karnataka qualifies for broader coverage under the National Food Security Act but the central government has capped beneficiaries at 4 crore. The state would add 50 lakh more people if permitted. He plans to meet the Union minister to discuss the issue.