Bengaluru: Amid the delay in the implementation of the guarantees announced by the Congress before the Assembly elections, people still have faith in it. People who are asking when it will be implemented are making preparations to get it and making arrangements to enjoy its benefits.
In the last two weeks, the number of people applying for BPL card has increased. Along with that, the buying spree of induction stove is also strong. It is said that if the Congress Government’s guarantees are announced only for BPL card holders, it should not be missed, even those who have not got the card so far are doing it, some are trying to shift from APL to BPL. It is said that if the free electricity guarantee is implemented in the state, the demand for induction stoves has increased with the intention that they can cook on electric stoves instead of gas.
As the free power scheme is predicted to be implemented, the demand for electronic goods has increased. The sales volume has also seen a significant increase.
The price of domestic LPG cylinder has crossed Rs. 1000. In addition, kitchens usually have a mixer and a fridge. But electric stoves and induction stoves are less. Therefore, instead of LPG cylinders, they have started using electric stoves.
Use of fan, washing machine, and fridge do not consume more than 100 units per month. But earlier, the middle class was reluctant to buy electric goods due to the fear of the bill. Now after the announcement of free electricity there has been an increase in the purchase of electrical items. There has also been an increase in sales of other electronic items like air coolers, and electric geysers. At first, people were reluctant to use air coolers and air conditioners because of the high electricity bill. It is said that after the announcement of free electricity, there has been an increase in the sale of the items.
An electricronic store owner in Bengaluru informed that there has been a significant increase in the sales of electronic goods this month as compared to last month.
Nowadays, people are buying things because of the free offer. But the Government made many rules to provide free electricity, so people are tired of BPL card.
As the Congress party came to power, the demand for BPL card has increased in the state. A flood of applications for BPL card is coming after Siddaramaiah Government’s many luck and guarantee announcement. More than 500 applications are being submitted every day to get the free scheme.
A total of 3.36 lakh applications have been submitted since last two years. Out of this, 2.87 lakh BPL and 46,576 have applied for APL card. But it is being said that permission from the Finance Department is required if a BPL card is required from now on. Karnataka has reached the limit of National Right to Food Act. In the last three months, 1.5 lakh BPL cards have been approved and more than two lakh applications are pending. All this has to get the permission of the state Government.
Additional Director of Food Department Gnanendra Kumar has commented that BPL cards are being distributed only in cases of emergency like illness.
Considering guarantee schemes to be limited only to poor people, people are ready to make new BPL cards to take advantage of these free offers. As many as 78000 applications have been submitted in six days from May 20 to 27. However, people who are wandering for BPL cards are in for a disappointment as the acceptance of applications for new cards has stopped.
The Food Department has stopped accepting new applications as the number of applications has increased. It has published about this on its official website. According to the National Right to Food Act, Karnataka has already reached the state limit. Hence, the submission of application has been stopped immediately. Finance department permission is required to issue BPL card.
Although the Food Department has stopped accepting applications, thousands of people are trying to submit the application. They are nquiring at Cyber Centre, and Bangalore One Center. It was as if they were calling the control room of the Food Department and getting information. There has also been a demand to issue BPL cards only to those who are eligible.