DK Shivakumar Orders Verification of Karnataka Guarantee Scheme Beneficiaries
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar ordered a statewide review and verification of beneficiaries under the Karnataka government's five flagship guarantee schemes during a meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday. While reassuring the public that there will be no rollback of these welfare programs, Shivakumar stated that the review is necessary to identify and weed out ineligible recipients and prevent misuse.
The directive was issued during the Chief Minister's first meeting with senior IAS and IPS officers after assuming office. The state government has earmarked Rs 51,286 crore for the five guarantee schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Shivakumar highlighted specific concerns regarding the Gruha Jyothi scheme, which provides free electricity up to 200 units and currently has 1.6 crore registered beneficiaries. The government plans to scrutinize connections to determine if residential premises are being used for commercial purposes and to identify individuals holding multiple electricity meters in their names. Officials will collect complete beneficiary details, including tenant information, locations, usage patterns, and contact numbers.
Regarding the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which offers Rs 2,000 in monthly assistance to women heads of households, the Chief Minister flagged instances of irregular withdrawals. He noted that funds had been withdrawn in some cases even after the death of the beneficiaries. Shivakumar instructed officials and families to report deaths promptly to prevent further misuse.
The other three welfare programs under review are the Anna Bhagya scheme, which provides an additional 5 kg of rice per BPL member; the Yuva Nidhi scheme, offering monthly unemployment allowances of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders; and the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women.
Additionally, Shivakumar addressed corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending in the state. He noted that while Karnataka receives Rs 8,000 crore in CSR funds, the government lacks clarity on how it is utilized. He announced that companies will be required to submit records, and new guidelines prioritizing government schools and healthcare will be issued within four days.
