Allegations of Irregularities in Guarantee Scheme Distribution

Bengaluru

Serious allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the implementation of state government guarantee schemes in Bengaluru South Taluk, particularly impacting poor families and daily-wage workers in Rajarajeshwarinagar and surrounding areas.

During a heated Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee meeting at the Bengaluru South Taluk Panchayat Hall, several committee members—including T.L. Kempegowda, H. Eerayya, C.N. Murthy, Ramohalli Ravikumar, Krishnappa, and K.M. Mahesh Kumar—accused officials of negligence and corruption in distributing benefits meant for the underprivileged.

“Poor families are being issued APL cards instead of BPL cards due to errors by the food department. What crime have the poor committed?” asked the members, as committee president Sridhar Lakshman presided over the session.

The members highlighted that loans taken by lower-income families—for house construction or purchasing vehicles—are being misinterpreted as signs of financial well-being, leading to wrongful cancellation of BPL cards. As a result, many women are not receiving benefits under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme.

Adding to the outrage, the committee alleged rampant corruption in card processing.

“To get a new BPL card or add a child’s name to an existing one, people are forced to pay ₹4,000–₹5,000. Without bribes, applications are delayed under various pretexts,” said Ramohalli Ravikumar, backed by members Shankar and Lokanath.

They also accused ration shop dealers of malpractice—claiming rations are out of stock within two days of supply and cheating beneficiaries on quantity.

The committee has demanded immediate action and transparency in scheme implementation to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not deprived.