By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri has stressed the need for the inclusion of all the genuine BPL families, who have been identified as per the 2001 census, in the updated list of BPL beneficiaries.
During the Question Hour in the Assembly on Thursday, Chaudhuri pointed out that these BPL families who were yet to be included in the list of BPL beneficiaries are being deprived of their rights.
Stating that these BPL families wanted the BPL ration cards not necessarily for availing the various PDS items, Chaudhuri said that they also wanted to get healthcare at an affordable rate. He urged the government to expedite the matter in the interest of the poor.
While admitting that BPL families who have been listed as per the 2001 census have not been included in the latest list of BPL beneficiaries of the Government, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Prof RC Laloo said that the reason for their non-inclusion is because
Community and Rural Development department has not completed the Socio-Economic Survey.
“Once the Socio-Economic Survey is completed, we would ensure that the BPL families listed as per the 2001 census would be included in the latest list of BPL beneficiaries which would be notified by the Government,” Prof Laloo said.
According to Laloo, there are 1,12,800 BPL beneficiaries at present while adding that there are another 70,200 AAY beneficiaries.
“We also have a total of 1,26,556 APL families beneficiaries in the State,” he said.
