Bengaluru: When former chief minister Siddaramaiah led Congress’ campaign in 2023, he popularised the slogan, “Nanagu free, ninagu free, Mahadevappa gu free, Kaka Patil gu free” — free for everyone. The message was simple: Welfare without barriers.Three years later, the govt finds itself confronting a reality that sits uneasily with that promise. Its decision to reverify beneficiaries under its flagship guarantee schemes is not merely an administrative exercise. It has evolved into a test of whether Congress can improve targeting and plug leaks without undermining public confidence in the welfare programmes that helped propel it to the helm.Chief minister DK Shivakumar has insisted the purge is aimed only at identifying fake, duplicate and ineligible beneficiaries and ensuring benefits reach genuine recipients. The govt has cited cases involving deceased beneficiaries, incorrect records and suspected misuse to insist the guarantees are not being rolled back.The review marks the first major attempt to scrutinise beneficiaries since the schemes were launched. Congress ministers have defended the move, arguing that the exercise was long overdue.“For three years, the opposition accused us of wasting public money and allowing leaks,” they said. “Now that we are cleaning up the system, the same opposition is objecting. Every fake beneficiary removed means more resources for roads, irrigation, schools, hospitals and other development works. Welfare cannot become a free-for-all. Karnataka taxpayers’ money must go to genuine residents who are eligible for the schemes.”Many Congress MLAs also credited Shivakumar for taking what they describe as a “politically difficult” decision. “Many CMs would have baulked at the idea,” they said. “Siddaramaiah never attempted such a large-scale verification.”Congress’ argument is straightforward. Welfare programmes will continue only if they are seen as credible and financially sustainable. It believes removing ineligible beneficiaries will strengthen the schemes and blunt criticism that public funds are being misused.But the opposition sees a contradiction between Congress’ election promise and its current approach. BJP and JD(S) members argue that the party had presented the guarantees as broad based welfare measures and the verification drive risks creating doubts among beneficiaries. They contend that the move reflects fiscal pressures rather than administrative reform.Political analysts say the real challenge lies in managing public perception.“The guarantees have become the Congress’ single biggest political asset in Karnataka,” said MN Patil, political analyst. “Any confusion surrounding eligibility, documentation or verification could create anxiety among beneficiaries, especially women who form the core support base of schemes such as Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti.”He added: “Once govts begin tightening eligibility norms, beneficiaries inevitably worry about losing support. The govt may insist that only fake beneficiaries are being targeted. But beneficiaries often view welfare support as an entitlement. The moment verification begins, many people start wondering whether the next step could be restrictions, exclusions or even a gradual rollback.”
