Abstract

The Bhagya Lakshmi (BL) scheme in Karnataka addresses gender disparities, focusing on birth rates and social indicators. Initiated in 2006-07, it offers conditional cash transfers to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families upon fulfilling specified criteria. Primarily targeting the declining sex ratio at birth and enhancing girls’ education and health outcomes, BL holds significant implications for Karnataka’s social policy.

This report, conducted by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) under the project “Process Review of the Bhagya Lakshmi (BL) Scheme in Karnataka,” scrutinises BL’s evolution, design, and implementation. Utilising secondary data sources, DWCD-managed MIS data, and stakeholder consultations, it assesses BL’s effectiveness in meeting objectives. Drawing upon international and Indian experiences with similar schemes, the report, provides a contextual framework for evaluating BL’s efficacy. Additionally, the report conducts a comprehensive budgetary and financial review, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing further investigation of the scheme. It not only offers a critical appraisal but also lays the groundwork for future field-based inquiries. Proposing a research framework informed by identified gaps, the study underscores the importance of ongoing evaluation in shaping effective social interventions. Insights from this report are poised to inform policy decisions, ensuring that initiatives like BL evolve alongside Karnataka’s socio economic landscape.

Jha, J., Alamuru, S., Minni, P., Iyer, A., & Ramakrishnan, V. (2017). Whose fate and whose wealth?: an analysis of the Bhagya Lakshmi scheme in Karnataka. Bengaluru: Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.