New Verification Rules Threaten Monthly Aid for Karnataka Women, Says BJP Leader

Bangalore, 23 Sep — Senior BJP legislator R. Ashok accused Karnataka’s ruling party of imposing a series of new conditions that jeopardise the regular disbursement of INR 2,000 under the Griha Lakshmi scheme. The chief complaint revolves around the compulsory linking of the beneficiary’s Aadhaar with that of her husband.

Ashok explained that the updated protocol also demands a comparison of the applicant’s name and address with official Aadhaar records, a bank account without any outstanding loan, and a comprehensive 17‑question questionnaire. He warned that officials will now conduct biometric or facial verification at each household, a move he believes is intended to filter out genuine claimants.

The opposition leader asserted that the timing of the rule change suggests financial strain on the state, prompting the government to trim the scheme’s expenditures. He called for an immediate rollback of the measures, stating that continued pressure on women would trigger a large‑scale protest across Karnataka.

The Griha Lakshmi initiative, part of five guarantee schemes launched by the previous Congress government, aims to provide a steady cash flow to women heading families. The current administration began a systematic verification drive in late August 2026 to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries and prevent misuse of public funds.