'You may face difficulties with govt schemes if ...': DKS's warning as Karnataka SIR begins

NEW DELHI: As the special intensive revision of electoral rolls began in Karnataka, chief minister DK Shivakumar urged voters to ensure that their names are on the electoral rolls, saying they could otherwise be excluded from government welfare schemes. While addressing a press conference, he called on citizens to cooperate with election officials by providing the required information and documents. "From tomorrow, SIR will start. All India and Karnataka's eyes are on Karnataka... I appeal to everyone, please save your vote, save your life. Right to vote, right to live. The Government of Karnataka will support your vote. The officers will give enumeration forms. They will ask for information, and everyone should provide a new photo," Shivakumar said. "Your right to vote is your right to life. If you lose your voting rights, you may face difficulties in accessing government welfare schemes in the future, including Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, pension benefits and other state government services. A process to verify the details of beneficiaries under various schemes will begin soon, although no scheme will be discontinued immediately," he added. Shivakumar also said that help desks and booth-level arrangements had been made to facilitate the exercise. He cautioned that voters who fail to submit the enumeration form within the stipulated period could lose their voting rights. He said, "Representatives of various parties will also help in providing the required information," adding that "Form 6 is available for those who have completed 18 years of age. The information sought by election officials will also be sought from new voters." The Special Intensive Revision is scheduled to be carried out between June 30 and July 29. Earlier, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad announced that the party had launched a statewide awareness campaign to ensure eligible voters, particularly those from rural and economically weaker sections, complete the SIR process. Hariprasad said Congress had deputed observers across districts and talukas to spread awareness and assist voters in submitting their enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). He alleged that the BJP was attempting to disenfranchise poor voters through the revision exercise, a charge strongly opposed by the Congress.