The Karnataka government has announced plans to conduct an app-based survey of beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, following a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that identified significant gaps in the implementation of the programme. The scheme provides Rs 2,000 per month to nearly 1.22 crore women heads of households across the state.
CAG report flags implementation gaps
The CAG report, tabled in the state legislature, pointed out several lacunae in the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, including issues related to beneficiary identification, disbursement delays, and lack of proper monitoring mechanisms. According to the report, these gaps have undermined the effectiveness of the scheme, which is one of the flagship welfare programmes of the Karnataka government.
Officials said the app-based survey aims to verify the eligibility of existing beneficiaries and weed out ineligible ones. The survey will also help in updating the database with accurate information about recipients, ensuring that the benefits reach the intended households.
Details of the proposed survey
The survey will be conducted through a dedicated mobile application developed by the state's e-governance department. Field staff will visit households and collect data such as Aadhaar numbers, bank account details, and family composition. The process is expected to be completed within three months, and the data will be cross-checked with existing government databases to prevent duplication.
“The app-based survey will bring transparency and efficiency to the scheme. It will help us identify genuine beneficiaries and remove those who do not meet the criteria,” a senior official from the Women and Child Development Department said, requesting anonymity.
Impact on beneficiaries
The Gruha Lakshmi scheme, launched in 2023, has been a key component of the state's social welfare agenda. However, the CAG report raised concerns about the inclusion of ineligible families and the exclusion of deserving ones. The survey is expected to address these issues and ensure that the monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 reaches the right people.
According to government data, the scheme has a monthly outlay of over Rs 2,400 crore, making it one of the most expensive welfare programmes in the state. The survey is also likely to result in savings by removing fraudulent beneficiaries.
Reactions and next steps
Opposition parties have criticised the government for the delays in implementing corrective measures. “The CAG report has exposed the government's failure to properly implement the scheme. The survey should have been done earlier,” said a spokesperson for the BJP state unit.
The government has assured that the survey will be conducted in a time-bound manner and that no genuine beneficiary will lose the benefit. The app is expected to be rolled out in the next few weeks, with training provided to field staff.
