KARWAR – Authorities in Karnataka have brought to light a scandal involving public welfare schemes, particularly those designed for the elderly and disabled. Investigations indicate that close to 12 lakh individuals receiving pensions might have secured these benefits through questionable means, including the submission of falsified documents. Startling revelations include the identification of over 13,700 income tax payers and 117 government employees who were concurrently receiving welfare payouts, clearly violating eligibility criteria. Further scrutiny, aided by digital verification tools has uncovered instances of individuals presenting fraudulent disability certificates and even underage recipients enrolled in old-age pension programs. This widespread misuse of public funds has prompted an immediate order for comprehensive re-verification across the state, with certain districts already reporting tens of thousands of suspicious cases.
The Drive to Purge Outdated Property Rolls
In a parallel and equally vital initiative, the Karnataka government has turned its attention to the antiquated and often chaotic system of land record keeping. A staggering 52.5 lakh properties are still officially registered under the names of individuals who are no longer living. This administrative anomaly has serious real-world consequences, as it prevents eligible, living farmers from accessing crucial central government subsidies, such as the PM-Kisan scheme. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the state has accelerated efforts to transfer land titles to legal heirs. In just the past month, more than 20,000 such transfers have been successfully processed, signaling a determined push to rectify historical inaccuracies and ensure that land ownership reflects current realities.
Digitization: The Cornerstone of Future Governance
At the heart of Karnataka’s reform agenda is an ambitious push towards comprehensive digitization. The ‘Bhoosuraksha’ program is a testament to this commitment, aiming to convert an estimated 100 crore pages of old, paper-based revenue records into a digital format. To date, over 33 crore pages have already been scanned and archived, marking significant progress towards this colossal undertaking. The state government has set an ambitious six-month deadline for the complete digitization of these records. Once completed, this digital transformation will enable citizens to access certified land records online with unprecedented ease and transparency, eliminating the need for cumbersome manual processes and reducing opportunities for fraud.
Ensuring Accountability and Accessibility
The identification of widespread pension fraud emphasizes the critical need for robust verification mechanisms, ensuring that welfare benefits reach their intended recipients. Concurrently, the methodical cleansing and digitization of land records promise to unlock economic opportunities for countless farmers and streamline property transactions. By leveraging technology and enforcing strict oversight, Karnataka is striving to build a more equitable and efficient governance model, setting a precedent for states grappling with similar challenges in India.
