Karnataka Cabinet to Decide Eligibility Norms for Guarantee Schemes: KJ George

BENGALURU, Sept 8: The Karnataka Cabinet will take the final decision on eligibility norms for beneficiaries of the State government's guarantee schemes, including whether possession of a voter ID should be made a criterion, Energy Minister KJ George said on Tuesday.

Responding to questions about the government's reported move to ensure that guarantee benefits reach eligible Karnataka residents, Mr George said Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had already expressed his views on the issue. However, he stressed that no individual minister could take a decision on the matter.

"The Chief Minister has expressed his opinion, but the decision has to be taken by the Cabinet," he said, adding that he would abide by the collective decision of the Cabinet.

The issue has gained significance amid the government's ongoing exercise to update beneficiary data under its guarantee schemes and verify eligibility.

Asked whether people without voter IDs would be excluded from the schemes, Mr George said the matter required clarification at the Cabinet level and declined to give a categorical answer.

"I am not opposing it. The Cabinet will take a decision and I will be bound by that decision," he said.

On the renewal of the Gruha Jyoti scheme, Mr George said around 65-70 per cent of consumers had completed the renewal process after the government extended the deadline by another month.

He said consumers who did not require the benefit would not be compelled to apply. "The benefit is for those who need it. If somebody does not want it, we cannot force them to take it," he said.

The Minister said the government was currently collecting beneficiary data and that any changes to eligibility criteria would be implemented only after a decision by the Cabinet.