Eligible poor families to be brought into PDS after e-KYC: Rizwan Arshad

State Food Minister Rizwan Arshad announced on September 1 that the government would bring eligible families into the Public Distribution System (PDS) and remove ineligible beneficiaries after completing the mandatory e-KYC process. The task would take some time as the government needed to review the existing PDS database to identify eligible and ineligible families, which could take about three months.

Many deserving poor families were currently excluded, while ineligible families were receiving benefits meant for the poor. Arshad emphasized the need to correct and streamline the system. Around 4.5 crore people currently received benefits under PDS, and families with an annual income of less than ₹1.2 lakh were eligible under current norms.

However, the government may need to review and potentially revise the income ceiling, considering inflation and rising prices. The Minister also mentioned discussing the matter with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar before taking corrective measures. Arshad's first visit to Mysuru after assuming office was met with a warm welcome, but his supporters' extensive display of flex banners and posters drew criticism from local residents.