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The impact of the verification campaign varies across different areas of Bengaluru. Officials said this region-wise distribution reflects differences in income patterns.
As per BPL norms, the annual income of a family should not exceed Rs 1.20 lakh. Any family crossing this limit was considered ineligible for BPL status. Image:
Ration cards are a vital link between households and the state’s food security system, especially in a city like Bengaluru where income levels and living conditions vary widely from region to region. For many families, the type of ration card they have determines access to subsidized food grains and major welfare schemes.
It is in this broader context of eligibility and verification that a large-scale exercise by the Food and Civil Supplies Department has led to a major reshuffle in the ration card categories in the city.
More than 1 lakh BPL ration cards canceled in Bengaluru
The Food and Civil Supplies Department has carried out what officials describe as a major verification exercise, resulting in over 1 lakh ration cards of Bengaluru residents being canceled and converted. These cards have been shifted from Below Poverty Line category to Above Poverty Line category after beneficiaries were found ineligible under the existing norms.
According to official data obtained by News18, there are a total of around 3.90 lakh ration cards in Bengaluru. More than 1 lakh of these cards have now been converted from BPL to APL as part of the ongoing campaign.
Zone-wise details of canceled cards
The impact of the verification campaign varies across different areas of Bengaluru. Official data shows that the highest number of cancellations were recorded in Bengaluru Urban, followed by the western and southern parts of the city.
According to Food Department data, 48,891 ration cards were canceled in Bengaluru Urban. In Bengaluru West, 25,143 cards were cancelled, while in Bengaluru South, 15,916 cards were cancelled. In Bengaluru North, 12,431 cards were transferred out of the BPL category, and Bengaluru East recorded 10,376 such cancellations. In Bengaluru Rural, 5,963 ration cards were changed from BPL to APL.
Officials said this area-wise distribution reflects differences in income patterns, employment profiles and property ownership across the city.
Why were these ration cards canceled
The Food and Civil Supplies Department said the cancellation was the result of data-based verification conducted across multiple government databases. One of the major criteria used was income eligibility.
As per BPL norms, the annual income of a family should not exceed Rs 1.20 lakh. Any family crossing this limit was considered ineligible for BPL status. Officials said the income data was matched using bank, salary and loan records.
Even the loan taking families were affected. In many cases, BPL cards were canceled when the head of the family or his children had taken a loan from the bank and declared a monthly salary of Rs 15,000. Officials said such salary disclosures automatically cause families to exceed the permissible income limit.
Over 20,000 ration cards removed due to income criteria
Officials confirmed that more than 20,000 ration cards were removed due to income-related issues alone during the verification process. These cases included households where declared income, salary slips or loan documents showed income exceeding the prescribed limit.
The department clarified that as per the existing rules, ownership of property, employment in government or semi-government services and ownership of four-wheelers were also considered during verification.
Impact on welfare schemes
Converting BPL cards to APL will have a direct impact on access to welfare schemes. BPL status is mandatory for schemes like Anna Bhagya, which provides free rice, and Griha Lakshmi, which provides monthly financial assistance to female heads of households.
With changes in status, affected families may lose eligibility for these schemes, unless they qualify under alternative categories or revised criteria.
Residents’ concerns and appeals process
The large number of cancellations has created concern among many residents of Bengaluru, with some claiming that their cards have been canceled despite facing financial hardship. In response, the Department has reiterated that an appeal mechanism is in place.
If the ration card has been wrongly cancelled, the head of the family can approach the local tehsildar office or food inspector’s office and submit documents proving eligibility, including income statements and asset declarations. Officials said actual cases will be reviewed and corrected.
Why does the government defend this campaign?
Officials have defended the exercise, calling it a necessary step to ensure that welfare benefits reach families who really need them. They argue that continuing to provide benefits to ineligible families imposes a heavy financial burden on the state and weakens the effectiveness of public welfare schemes.
What should residents do next
Residents are advised to check their ration card status on the Aahar portal of the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Department. Affected people should verify their details immediately and file an appeal if necessary.
As Bengaluru’s population and income patterns continue to change, officials have indicated that such verification drives are likely to become more frequent, making it necessary for families to keep their records updated in government systems.
December 20, 2025, 11:58 IST
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