People can resume applying for new BPL cards from October: Karnataka minister K.H. Muniyappa
Manipal: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs K.H. Muniyappa said that the ongoing revision of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards in Karnataka will conclude by this month’s end, and people can resume applying for new BPL cards from October.
“If anybody’s card was erroneously changed from BPL to APL during the revision, they can apply for a BPL card through the tahsildar,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing the progress of the Food and Civil Supplies Department for Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Manipal on Friday, Muniyappa explained that once ineligible BPL cardholders are moved to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category, a window will be opened for new applicants.
He said those who had been waiting for nearly two years to apply for BPL cards but could not do so because the window was closed (as too many BPL cards were reported in Karnataka) will finally get the opportunity once the revision process ends.
The minister further urged ineligible cardholders to voluntarily surrender their BPL cards and obtain APL cards, ensuring genuine beneficiaries can avail the scheme.
Muniyappa said that 7.70 lakh ration cards in the state were flagged as ineligible to hold BPL cards as per the Union government’s recent survey of rightful targeting of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Those cardholders will be shifted from the BPL to the APL category as per the direction of the Union government, added the report.
He attributed the unusually high number of BPL cards in Karnataka to successive governments issuing them without proper assessment. “States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala do not have more than 50% BPL card holders as per an assessment. But this crossed 75% in Karnataka,” he said.
“Notwithstanding a developed state, Karnataka has 1.28 crore BPL and Antyodaya card holders. So the revision of the authenticity of BPL cards was needed,” the minister added.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
