Karnataka Officials Urged to Fix Glitches in Guarantee Schemes

Chandrika Parameshwar, Chairperson of the Kalaburagi District-Level Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, has directed officials to swiftly address technical issues hindering beneficiaries from accessing the Karnataka government’s five flagship guarantee schemes. Speaking at a district-level review meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Thursday, she emphasized that public confusion over the schemes must be eliminated to ensure seamless delivery of benefits.

Gruha Lakshmi Scheme: Empowering Women Economically

Ms. Parameshwar highlighted the progress of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which aims to economically empower women across various communities. In Kalaburagi district alone, 5,97,166 women have been registered as beneficiaries, with ₹3,018.39 crore credited to their bank accounts since the scheme’s inception. This includes ₹782.64 crore disbursed in 2023-24 and ₹113.76 crore in the current financial year up to April.

She urged officials to raise awareness among women who faced technical issues in receiving financial assistance under the scheme. Beneficiaries were advised to approach Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) offices with proper documentation for resolution. Ms. Parameshwar also instructed banks not to deduct funds from the scheme to settle beneficiaries’ outstanding loans and requested that communication with beneficiaries be conducted in the local language.

Efforts to prevent misuse of the scheme were also discussed. Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul S. Sankanoor revealed that ₹44.34 lakh erroneously credited to accounts of deceased beneficiaries had been recovered, while door-to-door verification using biometric authentication and a dedicated mobile app would soon be launched to further streamline the process.

Gruha Jyothi Scheme: Tackling Electricity Billing Issues

Under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, Gescom officials reported that over 5.86 lakh consumers had enrolled. Special inspection teams are addressing complaints regarding inflated electricity bills, resolving nearly 3,000 applications daily through doorstep verification. Consumers are required to pay only if their electricity usage exceeds the previous year’s average or if they have pending dues. WhatsApp groups comprising linemen and field staff have been created to facilitate direct grievance reporting by consumers.

Shakti Scheme: Enhancing Free Travel for Women

The Transport Department revealed that women passengers in Kalaburagi district had undertaken more than 22 crore free bus trips under the Shakti scheme. To accommodate the growing demand, additional buses have been deployed, benefiting both the general public and students.

Anna Bhagya Scheme: Combating Rice Diversion

During the review of the Anna Bhagya scheme, Ms. Parameshwar called for strict action against fair price shops found diverting subsidized rice to the black market. She instructed officials to conduct regular inspections and ensure that complaint helpline numbers are prominently displayed outside all fair price shops.

Why This Matters

The review meeting underscores the Karnataka government’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of its welfare schemes, which are pivotal for empowering marginalized communities and addressing basic needs. By tackling technical glitches and misuse, officials aim to maximize the impact of these initiatives on beneficiaries across the district.

Source: The Hindu