Mysuru: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs U T Khader on Tuesday said the department will introduce the coupon system for disbursal of food items under the public distribution system (PDS) in Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru soon.

The minister told reporters at Jaldarshini guest house that to prevent irregularities and for the benefit of consumers, the coupon system has been introduced. If consumers do not wish to purchase food products available at the fair price shop, they will be given coupons, he said.

Speaking about APL and BPL cards, the minister said, the department has received 11 lakh new applications for both APL and BPL cards and another 15 lakh applications are expected.

He said, printout of APL card can be obtained immediately after applying online and the original card will be issued within 15 days of applying after verifying the documents. Aadhaar number will suffice for applying for APL card, he said.

The criteria to obtain BPL cards has been minimised and now the card is issued based on only four criteria instead of the earlier 16. People can apply for the card at gram panchayats and food inspectors are assigned to verify the documents, he said.

When asked about BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde, who has landed in a controversy for allegedly thrashing doctors, Khader said, none should take law into one’s hands.

People’s representatives have responsibility and should have patience. However, the Health department and the minister concerned will take necessary steps, he said.
Replying to the statements of another BJP MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Khader said, ‘irresponsible statement by an responsible person’.

Kateel had stated that BJP workers are capable of ‘setting Dakshina Kannada on fire’, if the police fail to arrest the accused in a murder case that was reported on outskirts of Mangaluru city, recently, he said.