Bengaluru: The norms for the eligibility criteria of the BPL cards have been simplified by the government. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Previously there were 14 eligibility criteria for the selection of BPL cards. But now the rules have been simplified as out of fourteen 10 unscientific norms have been discarded.

Those who have bike, tractor, tiller, three tire vehicle and four tire vehicle were not eligible for the BPL cards. But many people were needed to be provided the BPL cards even though they had all these things. To give a justice to the people of Karnataka the government has maintained only four valid norms.

Food and Civil Supplies Ministry had submitted a memorandum in the cabinet meeting to simplify the norms and the cabinet accepted with the new proposal. Now owners of bike, rented car drivers, auto rickshaw drivers and goods auto drivers are eligible for BPL cards.

The pending 12 lakh applications for BPL cards will be considered under the new norms.