Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 14: To make sure that poor people do not go hungry because of the lockdown imposed to control the coronavirus situation, the government has decided to sanction free ration for two months to those people who have applied for BPL cards. Even for the ones who have applied for APL cards, rice will be made available at concessional rates.

In respect of people who have applied for BPL cards, ten kg rice will be given free of cost in May and June. Likewise, APL card applicants will be eligible to get ten kg rice at Rs 15 per kg. The food and civil supplies department said that the applicants can draw their rations through fair price shops either on the basis of biometric or Aadhar OTP system.

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The new applicants can show the number appearing on the receipt issued when applying for ration cards at the fair price shops. If the shops refuse to give rice, complaints can be filed.

Already beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna scheme, beneficiaries holding BPL and Antyodaya cards are being given five kg rice for two months. Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, from May, as per the new system, 2 kg rice and 3 kg ragi and two kg wheat are being given from May onwards. Antyodaya card holders get 20 kg rice and 15 kg ragi, the department said.