States Show High Per Capita for Development, Say 75% Population BPL for Subsidies: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said states showed a high per capita growth when asked to highlight the development index but claimed 75 per cent of their population was below the poverty line when it came to subsidies.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI:

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said the benefit of subsidies should reach the genuine beneficiaries.

"Our concern is that benefits meant for the genuinely poor persons are percolating to those pockets who do not deserve it? Ration card has become a popularity card now," said Justice Surya Kant.

The judge went on, "These states just say we have issued these many cards. There are some states who, when they have to show their development, say our per capita income is growing. And then when we talk of BPL, they say 75 percent of the population is BPL. How can these facts be reconciled? The conflict is inherent. We have to ensure that benefits reach the genuine beneficiaries."