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This is an archive article published on March 27, 2007

Nitish cancels coupons, says revise BPL list

Conceding that large-scale irregularities had been detected in the below poverty line list in Bihar — this was first reported by The Indian Express — Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced that a new exercise would be undertaken to rectify the list.

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Conceding that large-scale irregularities had been detected in the below poverty line list in Bihar — this was first reported by The Indian Express — Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced that a new exercise would be undertaken to rectify the list.

Irregularities in the BPL list had stalled implementation of a coupon scheme aimed to streamline the public distribution system (PDS) in the state. Based on the BPL list, the poor were to be given coupons through which they could get subsidised grains and kerosene oil from any fair price shop. But as reported by The Indian Express, many of the poor had been left out of the list while those above the poverty line, including gazetted officers, had made it to the list.

Speaking on the issue in the state Assembly, Nitish Kumar announced a series of steps to verify and rectify the list of BPL families and declared that coupons already distributed to undeserving families would be cancelled. In his 5-page announcement, he urged the Centre to increase allocation of kerosene oil. As he sought support of all members of the House, the Opposition RJD staged a walkout, demanding that the list be scrapped and prepared afresh.

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This will be the second exercise by the state government to rectify the BPL list. The first one was launched in June last year but glaring mistakes remained. Nitish Kumar has now set July as the new deadline for the revised BPL list.

With above poverty line (APL) families angry over the reduced quota of kerosene oil, Nitish Kumar announced a uniform quota of 4 litres of kerosene per month to BPL as well as APL families. Earlier, he had fixed 5 litres for BPL and 2.5 litres for APL families.

The new steps announced today are:

Complaints about the Below Poverty Line list will be accepted in block offices till April-end. The process will be videographed for transparency.

Mistakes in computerized family survey records will be rectified at panchayat and village levels and soft copies will be sent to the panchayats for inquiry.

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Ward-level inquiry committees, comprising six people’s representatives and four government officials, will be constituted for the verification work.

The list will have to be endorsed by the gram sabhas.

Indian Administrative Services officials will be deputed as observers to ensure that rectification work is completed.

District Magistrates will be personally responsible for ensuring a corrected Below Poverty Line list.

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Before it is finalised, the list will be widely circulated and publicised so that the poor are not left out.

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