Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday, 13 June announced that all beneficiaries of the Gruha Laxmi scheme — which provides a monthly allowance of ₹2,000 to women heads of households — will be required to reapply as the state government launches a fresh verification drive. The move follows government data indicating that more than ₹100 crore had been disbursed in the names of deceased beneficiaries, raising serious concerns about leakages in one of Karnataka's flagship welfare guarantees.

What the Verification Drive Entails

Shivakumar made the announcement after chairing a seven-hour review meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, attended by Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Conservators of Forests, and other senior district officials. The Chief Minister was categorical that the government has no intention of scrapping the scheme — the reapplication process is solely aimed at weeding out ineligible and fraudulent claimants. The scale of the alleged fraud, with over ₹100 crore reportedly drawn against deceased persons, has made a comprehensive beneficiary audit unavoidable, according to officials.

Key Directives from the Review Meeting

Beyond the Gruha Laxmi verification, Shivakumar issued a wide range of directives to district administrations. Officials were instructed to accelerate awareness campaigns around the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, ensuring that no eligible citizen loses voting rights. District ministers, Deputy Commissioners, and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were asked to reach out to migrant workers and others residing away from their native districts, urging them to submit documents to retain their names on the rolls. Residence certificates are to be issued wherever required, with campaigns extending to the gram panchayat and booth levels.

On education, the Chief Minister directed that all children return to school with the academic year now underway, and that uniforms, shoes, and textbooks be distributed within one month. He flagged a significant structural concern: the state has identified 964 schools with zero enrolment, 3,542 schools with one to five students, 12,696 schools with six to 20 students, and 4,997 schools with 21 to 30 students. The issue is expected to be taken up at an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Separately, Shivakumar announced that all students will receive free bus passes under a recently issued government order.

Rainfall Deficit and Agricultural Preparedness

The Chief Minister flagged a 30 per cent rainfall shortfall in the state and directed officials to prepare drought-mitigation measures in anticipation of possible El Niño impact. District administrations were told to ensure adequate availability of seeds and fertilisers, put cattle fodder supply arrangements in place, and remain on alert for a potential deficit season. Precautionary planning, rather than reactive response, was the stated priority.

Bidadi Township and Political Pushback

Responding to opposition to the proposed Bidadi Township project, Shivakumar said former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was free to pursue legal remedies. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed appreciation for the initiative during a recent meeting, saying it would help ease pressure on Bengaluru. 'During my meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday, he told me that he had also developed several townships and that we are doing good work by reducing the burden on Bengaluru,' Shivakumar said. He added that he had presented Karnataka's concerns at the NITI Aayog meeting and received a positive response from the Prime Minister.

Action Against Illegal Finance Schemes and Drug Networks

Senior officials were directed to intensify enforcement against illegal financial schemes despite existing legislative measures, and to step up action against drug trafficking — including ganja and other narcotics. Shivakumar praised police officers for recent work against drug peddlers and called for sustained pressure on rowdyism networks. Broader governance goals articulated at the meeting included building a corruption-free Karnataka and improving rural education through CSR funding. The Chief Minister also directed preparation of ring road grids at the taluk level as part of longer-term infrastructure planning.

With the Gruha Laxmi reapplication process now set in motion, the government's ability to execute a clean, timely, and accessible re-registration — particularly for rural and elderly women — will determine whether the scheme's credibility can be restored without disrupting genuine beneficiaries.