Chhattisgarh Govt is snatching the power of BPL Card Holders

The Govt has introduced several welfare schemes for poor people. In these days, a word has has been coined called as “Below Poverty Line” in short “BPL”. A Card is issued to such persons. The question arises who is BPL Card holder?

The answer has been provided in RTI response letter of Municipality of Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. BPL card has been issued to a family whose family members earn Rs 508.26 per month. The relevant pages RTI letter is uploaded for public viewing.

The paradox is that one can get ration on the basis of this card but cannot get RTI information & document free of cost which has been specifically provided under the RTI fee Rules, 2005.

Undemocratic measure of Chhattisgarh Govt

The BPL card holders are not required to pay the RTI Application fee of Rs 10/- in terms of Section 7(5) of the RTI Act, 2005. The Chhattisgarh Govt has denied this benefit on the basis of a Circular dtd 27.6.2011. The Circular is uploaded for public viewing. It makes a difference between BPL cards issued in 2007-8 and other BPL cards. The CG Govt says that the 2007-8 BPL card is meant for getting ration only and  not meant for getting the exemption from Application fee & document fee under the RTI Act, 2005. So, it is a point for fighting against the anti democratic circular issued by the Chhattisgarh Govt. The Reply of CPIO of Bhilai Municipality& Forest office of Durg is uploaded for public viewing.