Karnataka to re-verify Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries with biometric checks

The Karnataka government announced on August 28, 2026, that it will conduct a comprehensive re-verification of all beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme starting from August 30. This initiative involves biometric and facial recognition checks to ensure that only eligible individuals continue to receive benefits. The one-month campaign aims to eliminate beneficiaries who are no longer qualified due to reasons such as death, migration, or changes in their tax status. The decision follows a proposal submitted to the cabinet for approval, which outlined concerns regarding the accuracy of current beneficiary records. The government has allocated up to Rs 20 crore for this verification process, which will be executed using a web-based and mobile application developed by the Directorate of Electronic Delivery of Citizens Services (EDCS). The re-verification will take place through both door-to-door surveys and at designated centers including Grama One, Karnataka One, Bengaluru One, and Bapuji Seva Kendras. These centers are part of the Common Service Centres (CSCs) network established to facilitate citizen services across the state. The process will involve visiting each beneficiary’s home, distributing and collecting printed enumeration forms, and ensuring that even if a beneficiary is absent, a family member can complete the necessary paperwork. According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) approved by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the verification must occur regardless of whether the required information is accessible via other means. Enumerators will use a specific mobile application containing detailed lists of beneficiaries categorized by village and urban areas. During these visits, photographs will be taken of each beneficiary, and the GPS coordinates of their residences will be recorded automatically by the application. Beneficiaries who are unavailable during the initial visit and unable to complete facial authentication will be notified through various communication channels and instructed to undergo biometric authentication at nearby Fair Price Shops or the closest Karnataka One, Grama One, or Bengaluru One center. The government plans to utilize existing biometric data collected at Fair Price Shops for this purpose. Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats have been tasked with organizing the necessary personnel, including mobilizing existing Guarantee Committee members to serve as enumerators. The Gruha Lakshmi Scheme was launched by the Congress government as one of its five guarantee schemes aimed at enhancing the economic empowerment of women in Karnataka. Under this scheme, eligible women receive a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000, as per the government order dated June 6, 2023, and the scheme guidelines issued on July 17, 2023. Since its inception in August 2023, the scheme has disbursed 32 installments totaling approximately Rs 76,951.13 crore to around 1.24 crore beneficiaries. The proposal for re-verification highlighted that over the past three years, numerous instances were reported where beneficiaries had either passed away or moved out of the state. Additionally, there were cases where beneficiaries or their spouses had begun filing income tax returns, indicating potential eligibility changes. These findings prompted the need for a thorough review to maintain the integrity of the scheme and ensure that funds are distributed appropriately. The Department of Women and Child Development will oversee the re-verification process, supported technically and operationally by the e-Governance Department. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate records to prevent misuse of public resources and to ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support they require. The government expects the completion of this verification drive within a month, aiming to finalize the list of eligible beneficiaries by September 29, 2026.