CM directs cancellation of ineligible BPL Cards, stresses hassle-free benefits for eligible families
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed officials to take strict measures to cancel ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards, ensuring that eligible families do not face any difficulties in accessing government benefits.
Speaking at a review meeting of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs held at his official residence ‘Krishna’, the Chief Minister said that no deserving beneficiary should be left out. “If anyone eligible for a BPL card has been missed, immediate steps must be taken to issue them a card,” he directed.
He informed that action has already been taken to cancel and reclassify 3,65,614 ration cards that were found to be ineligible.
The Chief Minister further instructed officials to submit a proposal for providing kits under the Anna Bhagya scheme, which would include rice along with nutritious grains and other essential items. He also directed that priority be given to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities while allotting new fair price shops.
To improve transparency, Siddaramaiah ordered that GPS trackers be installed on vehicles transporting food grains, and CCTV cameras be fixed in all warehouses across the state. He also emphasised the need to fill vacant posts in the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation without delay.
Highlighting new initiatives, Siddaramaiah said that for the first time, 0.29 lakh metric tonnes of minor millets have been procured. He added that under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme, procurement of food grains should be carried out in collaboration with Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Food Minister K.H. Muniyappa and senior officials of the department were present at the meeting.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
