Bengaluru: For thousands of minority families in Karnataka’s backward districts, particularly across the Kalyana Karnataka region, there is no way of knowing whether govt welfare schemes are actually improving their lives. Despite spending crores of rupees under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), the Centre on Wednesday admitted that it does not maintain district-level data to measure infrastructure gaps, socio-economic conditions or the impact of the scheme on minority communities.Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha by Raichur MP G Kumar Naik, Union minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju revealed that no district-level data is maintained under the scheme. “PMJVK is a demand-driven scheme designed to bridge developmental deficits in minority-concentrated areas. No separate data is maintained in any central database identifying beneficiary areas, tracking local infrastructure gaps or evaluating outcomes,” the minister clarified.Naik had raised concerns over how future interventions were being planned without assessing the needs of the people they were meant to benefit. “As a result, citizens have little way of knowing whether public money is reaching the communities that need it the most, or whether the projects are delivering meaningful improvements,” Naik said.The concern is particularly significant for districts like Raichur and Yadgir, where nearly 15% of the population belongs to minority communities and many families rely heavily on govt welfare programmes. The absence of district-level data also makes it difficult to identify underserved areas or tailor interventions to local needs. Instead, experts warn, development risks becoming a ‘one-size-fits-all’ exercise, overlooking disparities between districts and communities.The need for targeted interventions is underscored by Raichur’s social indicators. According to the 2011 Census, the literacy rate among Scheduled Caste women in the district stands at just 37.%, far below the national average of 56.5%, highlighting the need for focused investments in education and social infrastructure.Meanwhile, govt data shows that Karnataka recorded 699 PMJVK projects between 2021-22 and 2025-26, with more than Rs 7 crore released under the scheme during the period. “However, in the absence of outcome-based monitoring, it remains unclear how much of this investment has translated into better schools, healthcare, housing or other essential services for minority communities,” Naik pointed out.He also argued that flagship welfare schemes should be judged not merely by the number of projects sanctioned but by measurable improvements in people’s lives. He pointed out that the Centre already maintains detailed, district-wise performance data for schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and said PMJVK should adopt a similar monitoring framework.Naik urged the govt to begin tracking outcomes under PMJVK so that underserved areas can be identified and future investments directed where they are needed most, ensuring that minority communities are not left behind despite significant public spending.
