The government is planning to make significant changes to the most popular of the five guarantee schemes of the state government, the Grihalakshmi and Grihaljyoti schemes. It is likely that the beneficiaries of both these schemes will have to submit a new application if they want to continue receiving the benefits.
According to the government, the number of fake beneficiaries in the Grihalakshmi and Grihaljyoti schemes has been increasing. Therefore, it has been decided to carry out the re-registration process with the aim of identifying the eligible beneficiaries and excluding the ineligible ones.
Currently, about 1.28 crore women are beneficiaries of the Grihalakshmi scheme. However, about 4.30 lakh of them have been found to be income tax payers, the government said. There have also been allegations that the scheme money is being deposited in the accounts of deceased persons. It is said that information has been received that more than Rs 100 crore has been transferred to the accounts of deceased persons.
In this context, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has instructed to make it mandatory to submit a new application to identify the real beneficiaries of the scheme.
On the other hand, more than 1.68 crore consumers have been registered under the Grihaljyoti scheme. There are suspicions that some people are getting the facility through more than one electricity meter in this scheme too. Check who is actually living in that house, is it from Karnataka or from outside the state?
Speaking on this, D.K. Shivakumar warned, “The Griha Jyoti scheme is applicable only for home use. If the house and shop are in the same building, there should be a separate meter for electricity consumption for business purposes. Government subsidy cannot be given for business.”
Also, the government is considering a plan to issue ‘guarantee cards’ to those who have applied for the new scheme and confirmed their eligibility.
What will the new application process be like?
The Women and Child Development Department has prepared a new application form for the Griha Lakshmi scheme. This application has been sent for approval by the government and the finance department. The application form will be implemented after the Chief Minister finally approves it.
The new application will have about 8 to 10 questions, and the beneficiaries will have to provide necessary information along with biometric verification.
Important details that may be asked in the application
- Name of the house owner and Aadhaar number
- Bank account details
- How many people in the family have received the Griha Lakshmi facility so far?
- Caste details
- Husband’s name and Aadhaar number
- Aadhaar card registration
- Income tax or GST payer?
- Do you have APL or BPL ration card?
Where to submit applications?
The government is expected to allow new applications soon. There is a possibility of allowing applications to be submitted offline in addition to Bangalore One, Karnataka One, and Grama One centers. In addition, discussions are underway to give the responsibility of collecting applications to the chairman, members, and office bearers of the Guarantee Implementation Committee.
However, official information has not yet been released about the date from which application submission will begin and what guidelines the government will issue. Lakhs of beneficiaries are waiting for the next announcement by the government.