Karnataka to overhaul PDS rolls after e-KYC, says minister

The Karnataka government will undertake a comprehensive review of the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure that only eligible economically disadvantaged families receive benefits, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Arshad said the exercise would begin after completing the mandatory e-KYC process. He noted that the current PDS database needs to be examined to identify both eligible families who have been left out and ineligible ones who are currently availing benefits.

The verification process has already started and is expected to take about three months, the minister said. He stressed that no eligible cards would be cancelled immediately, and any deletions would only happen after the verification is complete and in line with rules for adding new beneficiaries.

Arshad said around 4.5 crore people are currently covered under the PDS in the state. Under existing norms, families with an annual income of less than ₹1.2 lakh are eligible. However, the minister indicated that this ceiling may need revision given inflation and rising prices.

"We need to study whether the existing guidelines should continue," he said, adding that he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar before taking corrective measures.

This was Arshad's first visit to Mysuru after assuming office. He received a warm welcome from supporters, though the large number of flex banners and posters put up along roads leading to the Congress office drew criticism from local residents.

Later, Arshad met former minister and Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait, who had been a strong contender for a ministerial post. Sait's supporters had earlier staged protests over the decision to exclude him from the cabinet.