Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today accepted that there were large-scale irregularities in the state’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) list. However, he alleged that the previous RJD regime was responsible for these and said his government is trying to rectify them. Kumar said there were many more poor families in the state than the present list reflected. The CM also acknowledged, albeit indirectly, that irregularities have remained, and some even crept in, after a mega exercise by his government to rectify the errors and prepare a fresh list. Kumar blamed panchayat representatives for the lacunae and hinted that action may be taken against them. “I have already assigned two NGOs to undertake a sample survey of the rectified BPL list and am planning to rope in other reputed organisations for the job so that genuine poor can benefit from the schemes,” Kumar said. He spoke at length on the issue in the Assembly today. The Indian Express had reported yesterday how the coupon system for providing foodgrain and kerosene oil to the poor was suffering as a result of the faulty BPL list. Many panchayats have witnessed violent clashes during distribution of these coupons, with large crowds going on the rampage alleging undeserving persons are availing of them. The CM said people left out due to the errors, were resorting to violent protests in order to avail of their due. “Our hands are tied. The number of BPL families have been fixed according to the quantity of grains allotted by the Centre. At present, we can provide for only about 60 lakh rural families in the state. But there are at least 1 crore such families. I have met the Prime Minister and demanded that our allotment be raised,” Kumar said, urging the RJD to help rather than simply protest. Kumar’s speech in the House today was aired live. The entire Opposition boycotted the speech, alleging that the Assembly session was being used for publicity. It marched to the Governor’s house over the BPL issue. Kumar retorted that the RJD and the Congress did not have the “courage” to listen to his speech since the errors on the BPL list were made during their regime. “They are demanding that the present list be scrapped. That means they don’t want the poor to benefit. If there are undeserving persons in the list, they will certainly be struck off. They should help in this effort instead of just protesting.”
