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Government of Gujarat
Information Department
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Dated February 2, 2014
State Government clarifies the news report on criteria for BPL category in the State
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Gujarat Government provides subsidized food to 32 lakh families whereas GoI allocate food for 21 lakh families only in Gujarat
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State Government provides subsidized food from its own sources to additional 11 lakh families
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Centre issued the criteria for identifying BPL families for issuing ration card in 2004 and has not revised since then
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Gandhinagar: Today Government of Gujarat clarified the factual position on a report appearing in a section of media about new criteria for identification of BPL families. In this regard, it is clarified that no new guidelines has been issued by the State Government for identification of BPL families. In fact, the State Government merely reiterated the guidelines issued by the Central Government in 2004 about adding income criterion, who’s income is less than BPL, for the issuing of BPL ration card to additional families over and above the 21 lakh BPL families as determined by the centre on asset-based criterions only. This step has benefitted 11 lakh additional families as they have now BPL ration-cards though they were not included in the original 21 lakh BPL families determined by the centre.
In Gujarat, as per Planning Commission, Government of India estimates, there are 21 lakh BPL families for which the Centre is providing ration at the subsidized rates. This 21 lakh BPL data is based on old criteria and in the last 10 years, Centre has not modified it. Centre has set up a number of committees but has not been able to firm up new criteria and therefore old figure of 21 lakh families are considered as the final figures and accordingly, GoI allocate subsidized food items.
As is well known, Government of Gujarat, has been focussing on poverty alleviation and food security to all such families which are actually below poverty line. With such focus and improved governance, use of technology and updated online information, the families which are really poor in addition to these 21 lakh BPL families, are also identified and thus, State Government from its own sources, is giving the ration to additional 11 lakh families. Now, in Gujarat, State Government has identified 32 lakh families under BPL for providing food at the subsidized rate. As is well known, Hon’ble Supreme Court has appreciated the Gujarat in addition to Chhattisgarh for innovation and efficient food distribution system and mentioned as worthy of emulation.
Recently, people in the field wanted to know the exact criteria for identifying additional families qualifying the BPL card. The Food and Civil Supplies Department, Government of Gujarat communicated the income criterion (monthly per capita income of Rs. 324 in rural and Rs. 501 in Urban) prescribed by the Government of India in 2004. This is an enabling additional criterion for such persons and is based on the GoI guidelines. Thus, it applies to those who are not falling in the BPL list because of the asset-based criterion. It may be noted that this criteria was issued by the GoI and Centre has not modified it since 2004. As is well known, criterion for identifying BPL families cannot be determined by the State Government.
The most important point is that as per GoI criteria and guidelines, Gujarat qualifies for only 21 lakh families for BPL ration card. However, State Government provides ration to 32 lakh families. The whole burden of providing ration to additional 11 lakh families is borne by the State Government.
State Government is taking up with Government of India to take a decision and revise the income criteria fixed in 2004 by centre for identifying the BPL families as State Government unilaterally on its own cannot revise this income criteria.
Sd/-
(R. P. Gupta)
Principal Secretary,
Food & Civil Supplies Department
Government of Gujarat
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