A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General has identified several issues in Karnataka’s Gruhalakshmi scheme, a program providing monthly support of Rs 2,000 to beneficiaries. The review raised concerns about verification processes, bank account checks and payment mechanisms in the Rs 75,000-crore initiative.
The findings sparked political debate, with the opposition BJP criticizing the state government led by DK Shivakumar. BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa described the scheme as a large-scale scam and called for a prompt, transparent high-level inquiry.
Audit details showed 19,020 beneficiaries connected to shared bank accounts, raising risks of duplication or ineligible recipients. It also found repeated deposits totaling nearly Rs 1.80 crore across 8,995 accounts, averaging about Rs 2,000 per account and suggesting possible duplicate payments.
Records indicated that 10.36 lakh beneficiaries altered their bank details, representing nearly 8 per cent of the 1.30 crore total participants. Some changes may relate to efforts avoiding bank loan recoveries. Additionally, 23,262 beneficiaries received funds despite missing account information, with disbursals reaching Rs 46.52 crore.
The report was reviewed in a meeting led by the Chief Minister. Officials noted that direct benefit transfers usually require account details and attributed some gaps to data issues. Departments were asked to check findings and flag ineligible cases.
Yediyurappa also questioned the guarantee implementation committees and sought clarity on verification and transfers. He highlighted delays in payments and demanded explanations from the government.
