Why Are Beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme in Karnataka Suffering from Stalled Funds?
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Key Takeaways
Bengaluru, Dec 23 (NationPress) The Gruha Lakshmi scheme represents a crucial initiative from the Karnataka government, designed to uplift women by offering financial support to female heads of households. However, delays in payments spanning several months have left many beneficiaries in a precarious situation.
Eligible women receive a monthly financial aid of Rs 2,000/-, which assists them in managing household expenses and enhancing their quality of life.
The prolonged failure of the state government to disburse these funds has imposed significant financial stress on the beneficiaries, who are now eagerly awaiting a resumption of payments.
Several beneficiaries reported that the Gruha Lakshmi funds had not been credited to their accounts, which has led to substantial difficulties in their daily lives. One beneficiary expressed her distress, stating, "It's been several months, and we haven't received the money for the last three months. If it comes through, it would greatly help us since we have children and need to pay rent. We do not own a house, and receiving the funds would be a relief."
In the Belagavi district, where women and child development minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar is a constituency representative, women have not received their funds, prompting them to appeal for the release of payments owed for the previous two months.
Another beneficiary remarked, "We have not received the funds for the past two months; the previous payments have all been credited. The minister has done a lot for us, but we must navigate this challenge as best we can."
This scheme is part of the five major commitments made by the Congress government, which promised Rs 2000 per month to women from low-income households. The state government allocates approximately Rs 28,600 crore, a significant portion of its budget, for this initiative.
In light of complaints regarding the 'freeze' in fund distribution, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has called upon the Siddaramaiah government to clarify the reasons for the two-month delay in disbursement of Gruha Lakshmi benefits to women.
The opposition is pressuring the state government to release the funds for February and March, demanding an investigation into the whereabouts of the funds for these months.