Bangalore : The State government has decided to slap criminal cases against those who possess bogus Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards in the State, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, he said opportunity will be given for voluntary disclosure of bogus cards. People will be given two to three months time to disclose if they possess bogus cards. No action will be taken against those who disclose voluntarily, he added.

However, criminal case will be filed against all those who continue to use bogus cards to illegally avail various government schemes, including Anna Bhagya scheme (rice at Re 1 per kg). The department will soon come out with a detailed guidelines for this purpose, the Minister said.

The government is resorting to this step as it has received about 30 lakh fresh applications seeking ration cards, mostly BPL cards. The State already has 1.33 crore ration cards holders, including 96 lakh BPL cards.

Gundu Rao further said he has directed the officials to dispose of all pending applications seeking ration cards by this month end. So far, about 25 per cent of 30 lakh applications has been processed, he added.

The Minister said the government is ready for negotiation with rice mill owners, who are opposing the move to strictly implement the levy order from this year. He, however, said there is no change in the government’s stand to collect levy rice.

“Refusing to give levy rice is as good as not paying tax to the government. Levy is also a form of tax. Law will take its own course if people violate rules,” he warned.

The government can collect about 13 lakh metric tonnes of rice per annuam as levy rice in the State. But it has decided to collect only 5 lakh MT of rice in this financial year. If the rice mill owners have any problem, they can come and hold talks with the government, he added.

The Minister said the government will soon fix minimum support price for paddy. The Centre has fixed Rs 1,310 per quintal of paddy. The State government will add its share of money to it in the interest of the farmers. The decision in this regard will be taken before the commencement of the harvest season, he added.