Haryana’s strict policies are beginning to show results. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had previously urged ineligible individuals in the state to voluntarily renounce their access to benefits under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) scheme. Following his call, around four lakh people in the state have removed themselves from the BPL category.
The Chief Minister had warned that if anyone was found ineligible during the verification process, not only would they lose access to past benefits, but they would also face legal action. As a result of this initiative, the number of families in Haryana that qualify for BPL benefits has decreased. The updated figures show that, as of June, there are now 48,05,547 BPL families in the state, down from over 51 lakh in March.
Around 3.9 Lakh Families Lose Access to Benefits
According to the Haryana government’s data, 3,90,833 families who voluntarily opted out of the BPL list in July will no longer receive essential services such as ration supplies. These families decided to leave the BPL category based on ethical grounds, responding to the Chief Minister’s call. Prior to this, the number of BPL families in Haryana was recorded at 51,96,380, but this figure has now reduced to just over 48 lakh.
With the exclusion of these four lakh ineligible families, the government is expected to save on subsidies and, instead, redirect these funds to benefit those who are truly in need.
Sirska District Sees the Largest Drop
Sirska district witnessed the highest number of families being removed from the BPL list. The state had been struggling with discrepancies in the BPL list for a long time, with several ineligible families falsely claiming benefits. However, after ensuring accurate family income records and streamlining the Family ID system, the list has gradually become more transparent and accurate.
Dr. Satish Khola, the State Coordinator of the Haryana Family Identification Authority, stated that these reforms are the key reasons behind the decline in the number of families in the BPL category. He acknowledged that the process of correcting these issues has already started yielding positive outcomes.
Voluntary Withdrawal of BPL Benefits
Under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s transparent governance model, more citizens are voluntarily moving out of the BPL list. This shift is attributed to a variety of factors, including access to self-employment opportunities, transparent recruitment processes for government jobs, and better overall family well-being. Additionally, the reduction in the number of migrant families has further contributed to the decline in BPL card numbers.
Central Minister Manohar Lal had originally envisioned these government benefits for those in genuine need, and CM Nayab Singh Saini is now working diligently to ensure that these benefits reach only those who truly deserve them.
Dr. Satish Khola, State Coordinator, Haryana Family Identification Authority, stated that the reduction in BPL numbers is a part of a regular process, and if anyone else wishes to opt out, they are free to do so.
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