Bengaluru: The state government has decided to re-verify applications through biometric and facial authentication to ensure that the benefits of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme reach eligible beneficiaries.
Over the past three years, there have been reports of money being credited under the scheme to the accounts of several ineligible beneficiaries, including those who have died and income tax payers. Taking this seriously, the government has decided to re-verify applications with the objective of preventing misuse and ensuring that the benefits reach eligible beneficiaries.
In this regard, the Department of Women and Child Development had submitted a proposal to the government seeking re-verification of beneficiary applications through biometric or facial recognition, at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. After thoroughly examining the proposal, the government granted administrative approval and issued an order.
How will the applications be re-verified?
The applications will be re-verified to remove beneficiaries who are currently ineligible under the scheme. The re-verification will be carried out through a web application or mobile application developed by the Directorate of Electronic Delivery of Citizen Services.
The process will be implemented through door-to-door surveys as well as at Grama One, Karnataka One, Bengaluru One and CSCs, including Bapuji Seva Kendras. The Under Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development has stated in the order that the Gruha Lakshmi application verification process should be carried out within the limit of the Rs 20 crore grant.
Enumerators will be required to visit every household and distribute the survey form to the beneficiary. After it is filled out, it should be submitted to the Guarantee Committee members. Facial authentication, photographs and other prescribed information must be captured through the mobile application at the beneficiary's location.
If direct authentication is not successful, the process can be completed by providing biometric verification at various service centres. The verification procedure also requires details to be clearly recorded if the beneficiary has shifted, is absent, has migrated or has died.
Enumerators should be provided training on the Gruha Lakshmi scheme and an SOP. District and taluk Guarantee Committees should responsibly carry out the verification process.
In urban and rural areas, revenue inspectors, Anganwadi staff, bill collectors and other personnel should be identified to carry out the enumeration.