BENGALURU: Karnataka on Monday launched a state-level drive to offer free permanent residency and caste certificates to eligible families, with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar introducing the initiative as an attempt to protect the rights of citizens and improve access to government services. The program immediately sparked objections from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which questioned its constitutional basis and demanded its withdrawal.
The state government said permanent residence certificates will be issued from Tuesday through nearly 7,000 centres, in addition to a doorstep delivery programme. It also launched a dedicated website and WhatsApp service for permanent residence certificates.
This proposal comes at a time when the Election Commission is conducting a particularly intensive review of the electoral lists. While it is still unclear whether the permanent residence certificate alone will be sufficient for registration in the electoral roll, senior Election Commission of India (ECI) officials said that legally issued certificates will be accepted by the relevant authorities, including tahsildars, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners.
Speaking about the launch at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the initiative is designed to ensure that eligible residents get essential documents without having to visit government offices. “Politics is not important. People’s lives and rights are important.”
The Chief Minister said that the permanent residence certificate was among the 11 documents recognized by the Election Commission for registration in the electoral rolls and that the issuance of such certificates was the responsibility of the state government. “Your vote is your right. Your vote is your life. Our government guarantees both.”
Describing the program as the first of its kind in the country, Shivakumar said Karnataka will provide free permanent residence certificates to families across the state. “This is a historic campaign. Karnataka is the first state to grant permanent residence certificates to every family free of charge.”
Residents can also apply online, through Seva Kendras and facilitation centers established at Hubli level, while Booth Level staff will distribute application forms to eligible beneficiaries.
Shivakumar said citizens removed from electoral rolls may lose access to government benefits and urged residents to complete the documentation process. “If your name is missing from the voter list, you may be denied government benefits. We want to ensure that people are not denied their rights.”
He said that identity documents are essential for protecting citizens’ rights and democratic participation. “Identity gives people power. It is necessary to protect their future and choose their representatives.”
Shivakumar said that the government intends to reduce the burden on citizens by taking services directly to their homes. “People should not have to run from one government office to another to obtain basic documents. Our effort is to bring government services to their doorsteps.”
Opposition leader R Ashoka said the program raised constitutional, legal and national security concerns and questioned the state’s authority to issue permanent residence certificates.
He said citizenship, immigration and matters relating to foreigners were within the ambit of the Union government and said the state had exceeded constitutional limits by introducing the programme. Ashoka also questioned the timing of the initiative while the Election Commission’s own intensified review was underway.
“Why the rush? Who benefits from it? Why was such an exercise deemed necessary at this sensitive juncture? The people of India deserve answers.”
This policy, if implemented without clear constitutional authority and safeguards, could create opportunities for forged documents, administrative misuse, and national security concerns, Ashoka said.
He called on the government to suspend this practice, publish the full policy and explain the legal basis for the measure. “If the Congress government refuses to back down, the BJP will challenge the move politically, legally and constitutionally.”
Rejecting allegations that the program represents a misuse of government machinery, Shivakumar said the initiative is being implemented without political considerations. “Some people accuse the government of abusing its power. Helping people is the government’s duty. We are doing so in a non-partisan manner.”
