By News Desk 
The process for including families in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list in Himachal Pradesh has gained momentum. The Rural Development Department had invited applications for inclusion in the BPL list until May 17 this year. A total of 2,15,139 families across the state submitted their applications. Among the districts, Kangra recorded the highest number of applications with 47,316, while Lahaul-Spiti received the fewest, with only 467 applications. Verification of these applications has now commenced, and the final selection will be conducted transparently during the Gram Sabha meetings scheduled for July.
Verification and Selection Process for BPL Families
The selection of BPL families is overseen by committees formed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). These committees include members such as the Panchayat Secretary, Patwari, and Anganwadi workers. Their primary responsibility is to verify the submitted applications at the Panchayat level. After this verification, the final selection will take place during the Gram Sabha meetings in July in a transparent manner. The authorities aim to complete the selection of BPL families by the end of July.
Eligibility Criteria for Inclusion in the BPL List
Several criteria have been set for families applying to be included in the BPL list. The primary requirement is that the family’s annual income must be less than ₹50,000. In addition, certain special conditions are considered for inclusion:
- Families with orphaned children below 18 years of age.
- Families headed by elderly members above 59 years, especially where there is no adult male between 18-59 years.
- Women-headed households without any adult male member aged between 18-59 years are given priority.
Categories of Priority Families
Families affected by severe physical disabilities are also given preference in the selection process. Those households where all adult members have worked for at least 100 days under the MNREGA scheme in the previous year are prioritized. Furthermore, families with members suffering from serious and permanent illnesses such as cancer or Parkinson’s disease are eligible for inclusion in the BPL list.
District-wise Application Overview
Among the districts, Kangra leads with 47,316 applications, followed by Mandi with 41,160, Chamba with 40,357, and Shimla with 26,202 applications. Lahaul-Spiti, known for its difficult terrain, received the lowest number of applications at 467.
Applications received from key districts:
- Kangra: 47,316
- Mandi: 41,160
- Chamba: 40,357
- Shimla: 26,202
- Hamirpur: 12,570
Next Steps in BPL Selection Process
The government aims to complete the selection of BPL families by October 15. Selected families who meet the BPL criteria will be entitled to receive benefits from various government schemes. Extra priority will be given to families with multiple members suffering from serious health conditions.