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Bengaluru: Amid speculation and opposition criticism over the future of Karnataka’s guarantee schemes, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has categorically stated that the Congress government has no intention of discontinuing Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi or any other welfare guarantee programme.

The assurance follows reports that the government is revisiting beneficiary records and seeking fresh verification of details under certain schemes. Opposition leaders had claimed that the exercise was a precursor to scaling back or withdrawing some of the guarantees Nirmala Sitharaman joins cleanliness drive in Bengaluru, interacts with street vendors because of their financial impact on the state budget.

In a media statement issued on Saturday, Shivakumar dismissed the allegations and described them as baseless rumours being spread for political reasons. He urged beneficiaries not to panic and assured them that the welfare schemes would continue uninterrupted.

The Chief Minister explained that the government had identified cases where benefits were allegedly being claimed using fraudulent documentation. In some instances, benefits were reportedly being availed in the names of deceased individuals through manipulated records and bank accounts.

To address such irregularities, the government has launched a verification process to authenticate beneficiary information, including personal details, residential addresses and bank account particulars. The move, he said, is intended to safeguard public funds and ensure that assistance reaches deserving families.

“Verification does not mean cancellation. The objective is to identify genuine beneficiaries and prevent misuse of the schemes. The guarantee programmes will continue 100 per cent,” Shivakumar said.

The Congress government considers the guarantee schemes among its most significant welfare initiatives, benefiting women, households and economically weaker sections across the state. Officials argue that periodic verification is necessary to maintain transparency and accountability in the implementation process.

Shivakumar reiterated that beneficiaries should not be influenced by opposition claims and assured the public that the government’s commitment to the guarantee schemes remains unchanged. He said the review exercise is purely administrative and aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the welfare programmes rather than restricting them.