Tughlaq Darbar: Siddu on Umesh Katti’s BPL card move

Team Udayavani, Feb 16, 2021, 9:01 AM IST

Bengaluru: Former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah slammed state Food and Civil Supplies minister Umesh Katti for his remarks on the criteria for below poverty line families getting ration cards.

“When you became the Chief Minister of a state built by you, only then should you conduct it like a Tughlaq Darbar,” said the former CM.

“Now sit in the hard-earned ministry and do good to the people. You have to leave the chair when people will yell at you and swing their swords,” Siddaramaiah added.

Minister for food and civil supplies Umesh Katti had said that people possessing Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card’s, despite being ineligible on account of owning either a two-wheeler, TV, fridge or over five acres of land, must surrender them before March 31 or face legal action.

He further said anyone earning more than Rs 1.20 lakh annually should not use BPL cards and has to return it before March 31. Also, a survey will be conducted for identifying illegal BPL cards to cancel them.

The Karnataka’s minister’s statement on restricting the eligibility criterion for getting a BPL ration card has stirred controversy.