Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said eligible beneficiaries would be considered during the re-verification of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, amid questions over reports that beneficiaries may be asked to submit caste certificates. He said the government had prepared a new application process after reports of people from other states accessing the scheme, while clarifying that the re-verification applications had not yet been distributed.
The Gruha Lakshmi scheme, launched in 2023, provides Rs 2,000 per month to eligible women identified as the heads of their families. It is among the five guarantee schemes introduced by the Karnataka government to provide financial support to eligible households. Shivakumar said the re-verification would focus on determining whether beneficiaries meet the eligibility requirements for the scheme.
Responding to questions about the Finance Department's letter on financial management, Shivakumar attributed the communication to what he described as financial management decisions taken by previous BJP governments. He referred specifically to works being initiated beyond budgetary allocations. On claims by the Contractors' Association that payments exceeding Rs 30,000 crore were pending, he said works awarded during the tenure of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa were still being completed and that the related bills would have to be cleared.
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Shivakumar also responded to allegations by the Contractors' Association president regarding the payment of percentage commissions. He said the association should submit an affidavit detailing the allegations and assured that the claims would be examined. On a proposed Rs 490-crore irrigation project, he said several administrative procedures, including consideration by the Cabinet and relevant committees, would have to be completed before approvals, tenders and construction could proceed.
On political and electoral issues, Shivakumar said the government would examine former minister B.R. Patil's request to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi regarding amendments to the Land Reforms Act made by the previous BJP government. He also criticised the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the process could affect voting rights. Shivakumar said the Congress would continue its opposition to the exercise.
During his visit to Chamarajanagar, Shivakumar also spoke about the region's agricultural communities and its cultural and religious significance. He referred to places including the Biligiriranga Hills, Gopalaswamy Betta and Siddappaji Temple, and said his family had a tradition of visiting the temple annually after Sankranti. He was in the region to launch development works and also referred to an earlier special Cabinet meeting held at Male Mahadeshwara Hills during the Siddaramaiah government. On the Congress padyatra from Shikaripura, he said KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad was organising the programme as part of efforts to strengthen the party organisation.
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