Karnataka identifies 22.63 lakh ineligible BPL cardholders: Sources; opposition protests
Bengaluru/Kolar, Nov 20: The Karnataka government has identified 22.63 lakh ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders in the state, with plans to revise the list, official sources said on Wednesday.
A survey conducted in August this year uncovered 22,62,482 ineligible BPL cardholders. The government is now considering cancelling these cards, triggering concerns about the withdrawal of key welfare benefits for numerous families.
These include the distribution of 10 kg of food grains per family member per month under the Anna Bhagya scheme and the Rs 2,000 monthly allowance provided to women heads of BPL families under the Congress-led government’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme.
Defending the move, Karnataka’s Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister K H Muniyappa stated that southern states typically do not have more than 50 per cent of their population categorised as BPL cardholders.
ALSO READ: Only ineligible BPL cards will be weeded out, no impact on eligible cardholders: CM Siddaramaiah
"In Karnataka, the second-highest tax revenue-generating state after Maharashtra, it is unrealistic to have 75-80 per cent of the population listed as BPL. Therefore, we must cancel these cards," Muniyappa said, adding that the government is not eliminating the cards but reclassifying them as Above Poverty Line (APL) cards.
According to Muniyappa, individuals holding government jobs, paying income tax, or earning an annual income above Rs 1.2 lakh are not eligible for BPL cards.
The opposition BJP seized the issue, criticising the Congress-led government.
Leaders including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, and K Gopalaiah led a march in Bengaluru, visiting affected BPL families and staging protests against the decision.
A Bengaluru-based BPL cardholder expressed concern after discovering that her ration card had been canceled during a visit to a government-run ration shop. She feared her newborn daughter would lose access to benefits under the Bhagya Lakshmi scheme, aimed at reducing female foeticide, supporting education, and ensuring financial empowerment for girls.
The government's move has sparked widespread debate, with political and public reactions continuing to unfold.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
