Date:09/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010913140500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Yellow cards to be issued soon: Minister

Staff Reporter

TESTING BALANCE: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Govind Karjol (centre) showing the right way to weigh at the `Grahakothsava' in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K Gopinathan

BANGALORE: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Govind Karjol said here on Monday that the Government would soon begin the process of issuing yellow ration cards to families below the poverty line (BPL) in Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) limits. The process of receiving applications for the card would begin soon, the Minister said inaugurating "Grahakotsava 2007," jointly organised by Karnataka Grahak Panchayat and his department.

The Minister said 1.27 crore families in the State, excluding Bangalore city, had applied for the yellow card, while the total number of families in the State was 1.2 crore. Regarding consumer awareness, Mr. Karjol said it was yet to gain momentum in Karnataka, and it was because of this that his department recently organised a consumer awareness week.

Consumer clubs were being encouraged in schools and the department was providing Rs. 10,000 to each club, he added.

Government agencies, including BWSSB, Department of Legal Metrology, KSRTC and BMP had set up their stalls at the venue to educate people about their rights.

Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, the former Mayor J. Huchchappa and former corporator Rajanna were present. Panchayat president and MLA N.L. Narendra Babu presided.