Patna, (Bihar Times): A study conducted by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in six states has confirmed that as high as 40 per cent of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards have been issued to people above the poverty line.

The figure of the North-Eastern states is very shocking. About 84 per cent of BPL cards in Assam and 83.66 per cent in Mizoram, had been distributed to the better-off people. The situation was marginally better in the other four states surveyed.

In Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan 43 and 49.67 per cent cards respectively are held by people above the poverty line while in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the figures were 39.78 and 38 per cent respectively.

The study also found massive pilferage in the targeted PDS foodgrains before it reaches the cardholder. It has been reported last week that there are two crore fake ration cards in the country and up to 45 per cent of the foodgrains supplied to states is siphoned off.

The story of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), which started in 2000, to provide super-subsidized foodgrains for the poorest among the BPL category is no good. The rice and wheat meant even for this category is going to the undeserved. Once again, according to the study, in the two North-East states, more than 72 per cent of the AAY cardholders are rich. In Rajasthan, 37.22 per cent, in Uttar Pradesh, 24.39 per cent, in Chhattisgarh, 28.85 per cent and in Bihar, 35.57 per cent of the AAY cardholders are not from the poorest segment.