Madikeri: Kodagu is synonymous for its coffee estates, affluent lifestyle of planters and its contribution to defence forces with at least one member from every alternate family serving in the army.

Yet, many of themlive below the poverty line.
This startling but true revelation emerged in the recent drive conducted by the Food and Civil Supplies Department. The drive for the seeding of aadhaar card number with ration cards was an effort to weed out bogus below poverty line (BPL) card holders.

Of the total 5.5 lakh population in Kodagu district, 91,639 people have obtained BPL cards. Besides, 7,857 people have antyodaya cards while 39,760 people possess above poverty line (APL) cards.

The department personnel found that most of these BPL card holders owned four- wheelers while some were also high ranking officials in defence forces. Yet, their families were reaping the benefits which is due only to the economically poor.

Thousands of cards were also found in the name of dead people, while others continued to enjoy the comforts.

The department has cancelled 3,072 BPL cards and converted them into APL cards. This includes 1,364 in Somwarpet taluk, 900 in Virajpet and 808 in Madikeri taluk.

“Most of the people whose cards were cancelled are planters who owned more than five acres of coffee plantations. A notice has also been served to a postal department employee at Virajpet who was possessing the card”, Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies Department Chandrakanth told Deccan Herald.

“The cards of those who pay monthly electricity bill of Rs 450 and above are being cancelled. However, cards from coffee planters and families of soldiers are not taken back,” added Chandrakanth.

The recent zilla panchayat meeting had resolved to set a one month deadline to identify bogus card holders, who were enjoying benefits at the cost of genuine beneficiaries like the tribals and the poor.