The Shrama Shakthi Scheme is a welfare initiative announced by the Karnataka government in the state budget of 2023-24 to provide financial assistance to landless women farm labourers. The scheme aims to address the economic vulnerability of landless agricultural workers by providing monthly financial support of ₹500 per head through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode .
The term “Shrama Shakthi” translates to “strength of labour,” reflecting the scheme’s core objective of empowering women engaged in agricultural labour. In a state where a significant portion of the workforce depends on agriculture, landless women farm labourers often face seasonal unemployment, wage disparities, and lack of social security. This scheme seeks to bridge that gap by providing a stable monthly income supplement.
It is crucial to understand that the Shrama Shakthi Scheme was announced under the previous Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government and has not received significant implementation updates since the change of government in Karnataka. Currently, it remains more of an announced scheme than a fully operational programme. However, this guide provides complete information about the scheme’s provisions for reference.
Overview of Shrama Shakthi Scheme
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Shrama Shakthi Scheme |
| Announced By | Government of Karnataka (Bommai-led BJP government) |
| Announced In | Budget 2023-24 (February 2023) |
| Objective | Monthly financial assistance to landless women farm labourers |
| Monthly Assistance | ₹500 per head |
| Mode of Payment | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Eligibility | Landless women farm labourers in Karnataka |
| Status | Announced scheme; implementation status unclear |
Key Features and Benefits
The Shrama Shakthi Scheme incorporates several important features aimed at supporting landless women farm labourers.
Monthly Financial Assistance:
The scheme provides ₹500 per month per eligible beneficiary. This amount, while modest, is intended to supplement the irregular income of agricultural labourers and provide a degree of income security .
Direct Benefit Transfer:
The assistance is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, ensuring that funds reach beneficiaries directly in their bank accounts without intermediaries . This reduces the scope for corruption and delays.
Targeted Beneficiary Group:
The scheme specifically targets landless women who work as farm labourers. This group is often excluded from agricultural support schemes that focus on landowning farmers.
Women-Centric Focus:
By specifically targeting women, the scheme acknowledges the significant role women play in agricultural labour and the particular economic vulnerabilities they face.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Shrama Shakthi Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria. Please note that these are based on the announcement and may be subject to change.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Gender | Must be women |
| Employment Status | Must be landless farm labourers |
| Occupational Status | Must be engaged in agricultural labour |
| Land Ownership | Must not own agricultural land (landless) |
| Residency | Must be a resident of Karnataka |
Important Notes:
- The scheme was announced for landless women farm labourers in Karnataka
- Detailed eligibility criteria regarding age, income limits, etc., have not been specified in available official sources
Documents Required
Based on similar DBT-based schemes in Karnataka, applicants would likely need the following documents. These are not officially confirmed for Shrama Shakthi specifically:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Identity verification and DBT linking |
| Ration Card | Family identification |
| Bank Account Details | For DBT payment processing |
| Land Records / Revenue Documents | To prove landless status |
| Employment Proof | To verify engagement as farm labourer |
| Passport-size Photograph | Application requirement |
Expected Application Process
Since the scheme was announced but not fully implemented, an official application process has not been published. Based on similar schemes, the expected process would be:
Step 1: Announcement and notification of scheme details by the government
Step 2: Registration of eligible beneficiaries through designated government offices or online portals
Step 3: Verification of landless status and employment as agricultural labourer
Step 4: Bank account verification for DBT
Step 5: Approval and inclusion in beneficiary list
Step 6: Monthly disbursement of ₹500 through DBT
Current Status as of 2026
The Shrama Shakthi Scheme remains in a state of uncertainty. Key points about its current status:
Announcement Stage:
The scheme was announced in the Karnataka Budget 2023-24 by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai . There is no public record of full-scale implementation.
Government Change:
Following the change of government in Karnataka, the new Congress government has focused on its five guarantee schemes (Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya, and Yuva Nidhi) . The Shrama Shakthi Scheme has not been actively promoted or implemented under the new government.
No Official Updates:
As of 2026, there are no official updates regarding the launch, application process, or beneficiary list for the Shrama Shakthi Scheme. It appears to be a scheme that was announced but not operationalised.
Related Labour Welfare Schemes in Karnataka
Karnataka has several active labour welfare schemes that may be relevant to similar beneficiary groups:
Ambedkar Karmika Sahaya Hastha Scheme:
This scheme, launched under the Karnataka State Unorganised Workers Social Security Board, benefits workers from 91 categories of the unorganised sector. Benefits include accident insurance, maternity benefits, scholarships for children, and pension support. Smart cards are distributed to registered members to access government benefits .
Ashadeepa Scheme:
Under this scheme, the Karnataka Labour Department reimburses ESI and PF contributions for two years if SC/ST youth are given employment in small companies. The government has released ₹51.61 crore to over 74,000 beneficiaries .
Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board:
The Karnataka State Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board provides various benefits to registered construction workers. The board has recently been granted income tax exemption under Section 10(46) of the Income-tax Act from assessment year 2026-27 to 2030-31 .
Important Official Links and Resources
Official Websites:
- Karnataka Government Portal: karnataka.gov.in
- Karnataka Labour Department: labour.karnataka.gov.in
Related Labour Welfare Boards:
- Karnataka State Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board
- Karnataka State Unorganised Workers Social Security Board
Application Resources:
- Labour Department offices for scheme-related queries
- District-level offices for beneficiary registration
What is the Shrama Shakthi Scheme?
The Shrama Shakthi Scheme was announced in the Karnataka Budget 2023-24 to provide ₹500 per month to landless women farm labourers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It was announced by the previous Bommai-led BJP government .
Who is eligible for the Shrama Shakthi Scheme?
Based on the announcement, landless women farm labourers in Karnataka are eligible. Detailed eligibility criteria have not been published, and the scheme has not been fully implemented .
How much financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
The scheme provides ₹500 per head per month to eligible landless women farm labourers .
What is the current status of the scheme?
The scheme was announced but has not been actively implemented under the current Karnataka government. The government has not issued any recent notifications or application procedures for the scheme .
How can I apply for the Shrama Shakthi Scheme?
An official application process has not been published as the scheme was not fully launched. Once implemented, applications would likely be submitted through District Labour Department offices .
Is the Shrama Shakthi Scheme still active?
As of 2026, the scheme remains at the announcement stage. The new Congress government has focused on its five guarantee schemes rather than implementing schemes announced by the previous government .
What is the mode of payment for this scheme?
The scheme was designed to disburse funds through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), directly crediting beneficiaries’ bank accounts .
What are the related labour welfare schemes in Karnataka?
Related schemes include the Ambedkar Karmika Sahaya Hastha Scheme (covering 91 unorganised worker categories), Ashadeepa Scheme (ESI/PF reimbursement for SC/ST employees), and the Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (benefits for registered construction workers) .
What is the objective of the Shrama Shakthi Scheme?
The scheme aims to provide income security to landless women farm labourers who face seasonal unemployment and lack social security coverage .
Is there any official website for the Shrama Shakthi Scheme?
There is no official website specifically for this scheme. For updates, check the Karnataka Labour Department website at labour.karnataka.gov.in