Online APL cards from January, says Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 30, 2016:Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader has said that preparations have been made to facilitate online distribution of ration cards. He said Above Poverty Line (APL) ration cards would be distributed from first week of January.

He inaugurated a stall to create awareness on government programmes at Karavali Utsav grounds in Mangaluru on Wednesday. The stall has been set up by the Department of Information and Public Relation as part of Karavali Utsav 2016.

He said the online facility would bring a huge relief for APL families who had lost hopes of getting ration cards due to cumbersome administrative processes involved in securing a card.

“Getting an APL ration card would now just be a click away,” he said. “Applicants have to furnish Aadhaar card number to get a ration card. One can also download a temporary ration card within five minutes of applying for the same. The permanent ration card would reach the individual’s doorstep within 15 days via post,” he said.

The Minister said that the department had decided to distribute ration cards for BPL families in urban areas through Urban Local Bodies. “We have held talks with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department on distributing Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards in rural areas through gram panchayats,” he said.

Stating that nodal officers have been appointed in each district to implement Ujwala scheme, Khader said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given approval for distribution of gas stove for BPL families.