1.2 CRORE CARD HOLDERS IN KARNATAKA;

January 9, 2007

State Food and civil supplies secretary Thara Jayasimha told here that the state has about 1.2 crore card holding families.

Addressing scribes here yesterday after holding meeting with the officials she disclosed the statistics as scribes brought to her notice irregularities and complaints regarding the distribution.

Dozens of complaints have been pouring in about the distribution as many rich classes are issued BPL cards, while the needy are deprived of it. The chief Secretary said that minor complaints would crop up, as the department has to handle more than one crore cards. She stated that she is not aware of any major complaints. The scribes informed her that even an MLA is given a BPL card in Kodagu. She said that she will discuss the matter with the officials and said that the Deputy Commissioner is in charge of the card distribution. Earlier she had reportedly blasted the officials about the complaints, in the meeting.

CALL TO DEVELOP TRAFFIC SENSE:

DySp H.R.S.Shetty called upon the public to develop traffic sense and improve the system.

Addressing the closing function of weeklong awareness programme for children, he stated that accidents could be avoided if both the drivers and public respect traffic rules. KSRTC depot manager Guruswamy defined the traffic rules. Traffic sub inspector Chandraiah read the report.Circle inspector krishnKumar welcomed the gathering.

Earlier, a procession highlighting the road safety was taken out.