Key Facts
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday dismissed speculation over two flagship welfare programmes, asserting that Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi would continue without interruption. His announcement came a day after a fresh verification exercise triggered concerns among beneficiaries and criticism from the opposition.
“Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi are the pride of the Congress government. They will not be stopped under any circumstances. The public should not listen to the false news being spread by Opposition parties in this regard,” Shivakumar said in a statement.
Details of the Verification Exercise
Beneficiaries are being asked to submit fresh applications to verify their names, addresses and bank account details after irregularities came to light. According to Shivakumar, some people had fraudulently claimed benefits in the names of deceased beneficiaries, making it necessary to authenticate records rather than discontinue the schemes.
“All guarantee schemes will continue one hundred percent and that no one need be anxious,” he said.
The clarification followed Shivakumar’s announcement on Saturday that beneficiaries would have to reapply as part of an effort to plug leakages. He said the government had no intention of removing genuine beneficiaries and that those who submitted valid documents would continue receiving assistance.
Irregularities Found
- Over ₹100 crore under Gruha Lakshmi had been claimed using identities of deceased persons.
- Multiple electricity meters registered in one person’s name under Gruha Jyothi.
- Uncertainty over whether beneficiaries still live at declared addresses.
- Possible claims by people from outside Karnataka.
- Use of the subsidy for commercial premises.
“The cost of 200 units of power is increasing. The cost of power we are purchasing is also going up,” Shivakumar noted. Beneficiaries will also be issued identity cards as part of the verification process.
Impact on Beneficiaries
Gruha Lakshmi provides ₹2,000 a month to women heading below poverty line households. Government figures show the scheme has benefited 1.24 crore women, with expenditure of ₹62,345 crore through 2025-26 and an allocation of ₹28,608 crore for 2026-27. Gruha Jyothi provides free electricity for residential consumption of up to 200 units. The government says 1.74 crore beneficiaries have received support, on which ₹28,000 crore has been spent through 2025-26, with ₹10,578 crore earmarked for 2026-27.
Opposition Reaction
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that around 3.5 lakh women had been removed from the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, calling the move deceptive and unfair. He questioned whether any survey or committee review preceded the exclusions and said the government had failed to explain why those beneficiaries were dropped.
Narayanaswamy also referred to reported changes in LPG distribution under the Ujjwala scheme and alleged that the state Home Department was monitoring social media activity to target political opponents. He accused the government of selective enforcement of the law and said governance had taken a back seat.
What Readers Should Know
- The verification exercise is aimed at removing fraudulent claims, not genuine beneficiaries.
- Beneficiaries need to reapply with valid documents to continue receiving benefits.
- Both schemes will continue as before; no discontinuation is planned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi be discontinued?
No, Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar has assured that both schemes will continue without interruption. The verification exercise is only to remove irregularities.
Why are beneficiaries being asked to reapply?
The government found that over ₹100 crore was fraudulently claimed under Gruha Lakshmi using identities of deceased persons. Reapplication helps verify names, addresses, and bank details.
What irregularities were found in Gruha Jyothi?
Multiple electricity meters in one name, use of subsidy for commercial properties, and claims by people outside Karnataka were detected.
How many people benefit from these schemes?
Gruha Lakshmi benefits 1.24 crore women; Gruha Jyothi supports 1.74 crore beneficiaries.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com