BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has approved a welfare scheme to provide school kits costing over ₹8,700 each to children of registered construction workers, with an estimated 1.3 lakh beneficiaries across the state and a total outlay of around ₹115.8 crore. The initiative, cleared by the state cabinet, will be implemented through the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under the labour department, and is intended to support education among low-income worker families while reinstating a previously discontinued programme.
Officials said the scheme will cover students from Classes 1 to 12, with kits tailored for primary, middle, and high school categories. Each kit will include approximately 23 items, such as textbooks, grammar books, bilingual comic books, stationery, school supplies, and additional materials like thermos flasks and learning aids. The government stated that the kits are designed to meet annual academic needs, which contributes to the relatively high per-student cost.
The programme had been halted in 2021 following allegations of inflated procurement costs and irregularities under the previous administration. Its revival comes after demands from labour unions, legislators, and worker groups, who argued that the absence of such support had placed an additional financial burden on construction workers. Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the decision aims to balance quality and cost while ensuring that children of workers receive adequate educational resources.
To streamline execution, the government has assigned procurement and distribution to Mysore Sales International Limited, a state-run enterprise. Officials said the project will be implemented using a “4(g) exemption”, allowing the department to bypass the conventional tendering process. According to authorities, this approach is intended to enable centralised procurement, ensure uniform quality standards, and address past concerns about inconsistencies in supply.
Officials involved in the programme said specific product standards and approved brands will be used to maintain consistency across kits. For example, books will be sourced from standardised publishers, and stationery items will be provided in quantities sufficient for an entire academic year. Authorities noted that while individual items may appear expensive, the pricing reflects bulk procurement, durability requirements, and annual usage estimates rather than one-time purchases.
Detailed cost breakdowns indicate that comic book sets for primary students are priced at around ₹895 for 10 books, while pens and stationery items are provided in multiple units, increasing costs to ₹179 for middle school and ₹268 for high school students. Officials said these allocations are based on expected consumption patterns over the school year, ensuring that students do not need to purchase additional materials.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to improve access to education for children of construction workers, a group that often faces economic instability, irregular income, and limited access to welfare benefits. By providing comprehensive school kits, the government aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families and encourage continued school attendance, particularly among students at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints.
However, the decision to allocate more than ₹8,700 per kit has drawn scrutiny, especially given the earlier controversy surrounding procurement practices. Labour department officials have stated that enhanced oversight mechanisms, centralised purchasing through MSIL, and defined product specifications will help ensure transparency and accountability in implementation. They added that monitoring systems will be put in place to track distribution and usage, reducing the likelihood of irregularities.
The revival of the scheme also comes amid ongoing concerns about delays in labour welfare programmes, including scholarships and financial assistance. Reports from various districts have highlighted gaps in implementation and access, prompting calls for improved delivery systems. Officials said the government is working to strengthen administrative processes and ensure timely disbursal of benefits under multiple welfare schemes.
Experts note that the success of the programme will depend on efficient execution, timely distribution before the academic session, and strict quality control measures. If implemented effectively, the scheme could ease financial pressure on thousands of families, improve access to educational materials, and support learning continuity among children of construction workers.
Authorities confirmed that operational details, including distribution schedules and logistics, will be finalised in the coming weeks. The labour department expects the rollout to align with the upcoming academic cycle, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the kits at the start of the school year.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening social welfare support for construction workers in Karnataka, while also contributing to broader efforts to improve educational outcomes among economically vulnerable groups.
