Gruha Laxmi guarantee beneficiaries to reapply as K'taka govt launches verification drive
Bengaluru, June 13
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said that beneficiaries of the Gruha Laxmi Rs 2,000 monthly allowance scheme would be required to reapply as part of a verification process. According to the government, more than Rs 100 crore had been drawn in the names of deceased beneficiaries, he stated.
He was addressing the media after a seven‑hour review meeting at Vidhana Soudha with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Conservators of Forests and other senior officials.
The government intends to verify whether benefits are reaching eligible beneficiaries and does not plan to discontinue the scheme, he clarified. Shivakumar announced that all students would receive free bus passes under a recently issued government order.
The Chief Minister directed district ministers, Deputy Commissioners and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to create awareness about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and ensure that citizens do not lose their voting rights.
He urged all voters to submit the enumeration forms provided by BLOs and advised migrant workers and others living away from their native places to submit necessary documents to retain their names on the electoral rolls.
Officials were also instructed to issue residence certificates wherever required and conduct awareness campaigns at the gram panchayat and booth levels.
Responding to questions about opposition to the proposed Bidadi Township project, Shivakumar said former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was free to pursue legal remedies.
The Chief Minister claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated the township initiative during a recent meeting, saying it would help reduce pressure on Bengaluru.
"During my meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday, he told me that he had also developed several townships and that we are doing good work by reducing the burden on Bengaluru," Shivakumar said.
On his participation in the NITI Aayog meeting, Shivakumar said he had presented Karnataka's concerns and received a positive response from the Prime Minister.
Responding to criticism over the revision of welfare schemes that had earlier been praised, he said the same critics who had once opposed Karnataka's guarantee schemes were now replicating them in other states.
He directed senior government officials to take concrete steps towards building a corruption‑free Karnataka, safeguarding citizens' voting rights during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, developing ring road grids at the taluk level, preparing for possible rainfall deficiency, improving rural education through CSR funding and curbing fake finance schemes, rowdyism and drug networks.
With the academic year underway, Shivakumar instructed officials to ensure that all children returned to school and that uniforms, shoes and textbooks were distributed within a month.
He said the government had identified 964 schools with zero enrolment, 3,542 schools with one to five students, 12,696 schools with six to 20 students and 4,997 schools with 21 to 30 students. The issue would be discussed in an upcoming Cabinet meeting, he added.
The Chief Minister said precautionary measures were being planned in view of a possible rainfall deficit and the anticipated impact of El Nino.
Officials were directed to ensure adequate availability of seeds and fertilisers, prepare drought‑mitigation measures and make arrangements for cattle fodder supply. He noted that the state was currently facing a rainfall shortfall of around 30 per cent.
The Chief Minister directed district administrations and police to intensify efforts against illegal financial schemes despite the government's legislative measures to curb them.
He also called for stronger action against drug trafficking, including ganja and other narcotics, and praised police officers for their work against drug peddlers.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but why wasn't this done from day one? The opposition will obviously cry foul but let's be honest - every scheme needs verification. I'm more interested in the Bidadi Township project. If PM Modi himself appreciated it, then Kumaraswamy opposing it is just political drama. Bengaluru desperately needs decongestion.
Seriously? Now we have to reapply for something that was promised? Typical government - announce grand schemes, then mess up implementation. The Rs 100 crore fraud is the government's own fault for not having proper checks. Meanwhile, my wife has been getting Rs 2,000 for months and now we have to stand in queues again. At least they're not stopping the scheme, but still frustrating.
As someone who works in public policy, this verification drive is necessary but poorly communicated. The government should have had biometric authentication from the start. On the positive side, I'm impressed by the comprehensive agenda - from education to drought preparedness to anti-drug measures. Karnataka seems to be trying to cover all bases. The 964 zero-enrollment schools is alarming though.
Good that they're cracking down on fraud, but the real issue is the 30% rainfall deficit. El Nino is going to hit hard and farmers in Karnataka are already worried. Hope the fodder and seed arrangements are actually made on time and not just in press releases. Also, free bus passes for students is a great move - my niece just got hers and it's saving us a lot every month.
I'm a Karnataka resident and honestly, this reapplication news
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