BPL figures rise by over 54K across state in May

In a significant development, the number of below poverty line (BPL) cardholders in the state has surged by 54,360 in May compared to April, despite a recent warning by the state government urging ineligible individuals to voluntarily remove their names from the list to avoid punitive action.

According to official data, there were 51,96,380 BPL cardholders in April, a number that jumped to 52,50,740 in May. The most significant rise was seen in Faridabad, with 10,752 new BPL cards issued, followed by Hisar (3,445) and Karnal (3,442). Charkhi Dadri recorded the smallest increase, with 808 new cards, followed by Rohtak (1,112) and Mahendragarh (1,426).

Other districts such as Ambala (2,409), Bhiwani (1,878), Kurukshetra (2,206), Panipat (2,159), Rewari (1,647), and Jhajjar (1,803) also saw notable additions to their BPL lists.

Dr Satish Khola, State Coordinator, Haryana Parivar Pehchan Patra (HPPP) Authority, attributed the rise primarily to the inclusion of new migrant workers, newly formed families after marriages, and local residents who had previously been unable to get their PPP ID made.

“Many migrant workers arrive in Haryana each month and obtain BPL cards to access Central welfare schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Ann Yojana. Once they return to their home states and begin receiving benefits there, their names are automatically removed from Haryana’s list due to the integrated online PPP system, which is now being adopted by several states,” he said.

Khola also noted that in many cases, division of joint family PPP IDs, after the marriage of a family member, was also a reason behind the rise in the BPL list, if the income fell within the criteria. As soon as a member applied for a marriage certificate on the portal, there was an option to get a separate PPP ID, he said.

“Fluctuations in BPL numbers are part of routine updates in the system. A total 1,609 ineligible families were removed from the list in April alone. It is a continuous process, and CM Nayab Singh Saini monitors it. He wants to ensure all eligible people are on the list, so he regularly takes feedback about it,” Khola added.

Gross irregularities had come to the fore last year when the details of a large number of PPP IDs were amended in Jhajjar. Three contractual employees of the Citizen Resources Information Department (CRID) were also arrested on charges of preparing false IDs.

The reasons

*Inclusion of new migrant workers

*Newly formed families after marriages/division of joint family PPP IDs

*Local residents who had previously been unable to get PPP ID

Haryana Tribune