Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries have to reapply, says Karnataka Chief Minister

File photo of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other leaders at the launch of the Gruha Lakshmi program in Mysuru.

In a move said to be aimed at plugging the leakage, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi schemes, two of the five guarantee schemes in the state, have to reapply.

While Gruha Lakshmi provides ₹2,000 per month to a woman headed family, Gruha Jyothi provides free electricity for residential connections up to 200 units.

Mr Shivakumar has been hinting at the need to streamline guarantee schemes for some time now.

Clarifying that the government is not stopping these schemes and has no intention of removing any beneficiaries, Mr. Shivakumar said the government must plug the leakages.

“Everyone who provides the correct documentation will continue to receive benefits,” he said.

Gruha Lakshmi

“We have noticed that others have claimed benefits of more than ₹100 crore in the names of those who died for Gruha Lakshmi,” he said.

The costliest of all the guarantee schemes, the government has spent ₹62,345 crore by 2025–26 and ₹28,608 crore has been earmarked for 2026–27. According to the recent budget, 1.24 lakh women have benefited so far.

Gruha Jyothi

“Similarly, there are multiple electricity meters in the name of one person. We need to check whether that person is staying at the same address or someone else is staying there and whether the benefits are going to people from our state or foreigners. Many are also using the Gruha Jyothi scheme for commercial properties. These things need to be stopped,” he said. “The cost of 200 units of energy is increasing. The cost of the energy we buy is also increasing,” he added.

He further stated that all the beneficiaries will receive identity cards.

A total of 1.74 lakh beneficiaries have benefited under this scheme so far. The government has spent ₹28,000 crore by 2025–26 and earmarked ₹10,578 crore for 2026–27, according to the recent budget.

Published – 14 Jun 2026 0:50 AM IST