Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has dismissed speculation over the continuation of two flagship welfare programmes, Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi. The schemes provide financial assistance to women heading below poverty line households and free electricity for residential consumption, respectively.
Shivakumar's announcement came after a fresh verification exercise triggered concerns among beneficiaries and criticism from the opposition. He clarified that beneficiaries were being asked to submit fresh applications only to verify their names, addresses, and bank account details.
The government had detected irregularities, including fraudulent claims in the names of deceased beneficiaries, which necessitated the verification process. Shivakumar assured that all guarantee schemes would continue without interruption and that no one needed to be anxious.
He also announced that beneficiaries would be issued identity cards as part of the verification process. The schemes have benefited over 1.24 crore women under Gruha Lakshmi and 1.74 crore beneficiaries under Gruha Jyothi, with an expenditure of over ₹62,345 crore and ₹28,000 crore, respectively.
