Karnataka defends Permanent Resident Certificates, sets 10-year residency rule
Synopsis
Karnataka's Deputy CM G. Parameshwara has drawn a sharp line: Permanent Resident Certificates are for documented 10-year residents, not undocumented migrants. But with the BJP framing the scheme as a backdoor for Bangladeshi settlers, the row cuts to the heart of who belongs — and who gets to prove it — in a state heading into election season.
Key Takeaways
Deputy Chief Minister G.
Parameshwara defended the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) scheme on 21 July in Bengaluru .
Eligibility requires proof of residency in Karnataka for at least 10 years , with most applicants asked to furnish 2002 electoral roll records.
Parameshwara said the government is 'neither acting against the Union Government nor violating any law.' The BJP has alleged the scheme facilitates illegal Bangladeshi immigrants; the government rejected this charge.
The state has released ₹5 crore per district for drinking-water arrangements, with ₹329 crore in Deputy Commissioners' PD accounts for drought management.
A Cabinet expansion is under consideration, subject to approval from the party high command in Delhi .
The Karnataka government on Tuesday, 21 July mounted a robust defence of its Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) initiative, with Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara clarifying that eligibility would be restricted to individuals who can demonstrate at least 10 years of continuous residency in the state. The government firmly rejected allegations that the scheme was designed to facilitate illegal immigrants, particularly those from Bangladesh.
What the Government Said
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara stated, 'We need to formalise this process. A certificate will be issued if applicants provide evidence that they have lived in Karnataka for 10 years.' He was categorical in dismissing opposition charges, saying, 'We are neither acting against the Union Government nor violating any law. We are proceeding strictly in accordance with the law.'
Parameshwara also pushed back sharply on the suggestion that the PRCs could benefit undocumented Bangladeshi migrants, remarking, 'Can we give our daughters in marriage to Bangladeshis? No.' The remark was directed at what he described as politically motivated allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
How PRCs Would Work
According to Parameshwara, the certificates would be issued primarily on the basis of birth in Karnataka or verifiable presence in the state. He noted that most applicants had been asked to produce details from the 2002 electoral rolls, with roughly 50–60 per cent of people likely to possess such records. Those without documentary proof of long-term residency are the intended beneficiaries of the PRC framework.
He also drew a parallel with existing practice: 'Tahsildars were issuing caste certificates even earlier. Has anything changed now? Caste certificates have been sought during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The BJP should understand why we have introduced this arrangement.'
BJP's Allegations and the Government's Counter
The BJP has repeatedly alleged in the state legislature that the number of migrants from Bangladesh and other states is rising, and that government benefits and Aadhaar cards are being extended to them. Parameshwara, who previously served as Home Minister, said he had addressed such allegations on multiple occasions. He argued that the PRC scheme, far from enabling illegal settlement, was a formal, lawful mechanism to document long-standing residents who lack official paperwork.
Other Key Announcements
On the question of drought classification, Parameshwara said no final decision had been taken, but that Deputy Commissioners had been directed to assess drought-like conditions in their taluks and submit reports. He added that the government had released ₹5 crore per district for drinking-water arrangements, with a total of ₹329 crore available in the Personal Deposit (PD) accounts of Deputy Commissioners. An additional ₹1 crore per taluk has also been announced.
On the pending Cabinet expansion, Parameshwara confirmed that senior party leaders had travelled to Delhi for discussions with the high command. He indicated that one of the criteria under consideration was greater representation for younger leaders, though no timeline was confirmed.
With the PRC controversy deepening ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, the government's next move — and the BJP's legislative response — will be closely watched.
Point of View
And through what verification mechanism. The BJP's Bangladeshi-migrant framing, however inflammatory, has forced the Congress to fight on opposition terrain. Until the state publishes clear eligibility criteria and an audit trail, the political cost of the scheme may outweigh its administrative benefit.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) scheme?
The Karnataka PRC scheme issues official residency certificates to individuals who can prove they have lived in the state for at least 10 years. The government says it is intended to formally document long-term residents who lack standard paperwork, using records such as the 2002 electoral rolls as evidence.
Why is the PRC scheme controversial?
The BJP has alleged that the scheme could be used to legitimise undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants by providing them with official residency proof. The Karnataka government has rejected this, saying the scheme operates strictly within the law and requires verifiable 10-year residency evidence.
Who is eligible for a Karnataka Permanent Resident Certificate?
According to Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, eligibility is based on birth in Karnataka or documented residency of at least 10 years. Most applicants are being asked to produce details from the 2002 electoral rolls; approximately 50–60 per cent of applicants are expected to have such records.
What did Deputy CM Parameshwara say about the BJP's allegations?
Parameshwara dismissed the BJP's claims that the PRC scheme facilitates Bangladeshi migrants, saying the government is 'proceeding strictly in accordance with the law.' He noted that he had repeatedly countered similar allegations during his tenure as Home Minister and called on BJP leaders to 'speak responsibly.'
What other issues did Parameshwara address on Tuesday?
Parameshwara said no final decision had been taken on drought classification, but Deputy Commissioners have been directed to assess affected taluks. He also confirmed that ₹5 crore per district has been released for drinking-water arrangements and that a Cabinet expansion is pending high command approval in Delhi.
