Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has issued a warning that they will organize a dharna if Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar fails to apologize for allegedly providing false statements in the Assembly regarding the disbursement of outstanding payments under the Gruha Laxmi scheme, totaling close to Rs 5,000 crore.

In a media briefing, Opposition Leader in the Assembly R. Ashoka accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of failing to support impoverished women by neglecting to release these pending payments. He claimed that Minister Hebbalkar misled the Assembly by presenting inaccurate information.

Ashoka further stated that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments had not been issued in several regions, providing documentation related to eight districts as proof. He cautioned the government that the BJP would not hesitate to initiate a dharna if the matter remains unresolved.

“During her statement in the ongoing winter session, Minister Laxmi misrepresented facts, and we have brought this to light,” Ashoka asserted.

He pointed out that the minister has been absent from the House for the past three to four days, ignoring repeated calls from the opposition. “Is she on a trip to the Moon?” Ashoka quipped.

Ashoka claimed that the government has not disbursed the February and March payments of Rs 2,000 each that were promised to women heads of families under the scheme, contributing to the total of nearly Rs 5,000 crore.

He emphasized that while payments for subsequent months were released, prior dues remain unsettled, which he described as a betrayal of the beneficiaries. Ashoka alleged that the Minister falsely informed the House that all installments had been cleared.

Stressing that it is a minister's duty to provide accurate information to the Assembly, Ashoka called for accountability, asserting that if misleading information is given, appropriate action should be taken. He also demanded that officials who provided inaccurate data be held responsible.

Reiterating the call for an apology from the Minister, Ashoka noted that Rs 5,000 crore is a substantial sum and questioned the government's intentions. He argued that if the government were genuine, it would have settled the February and March dues before proceeding with April and May payments.

In the meantime, Ashoka commended the Centre’s decision to rename the MGNREGA scheme, indicating that Mahatma Gandhi honored Lord Rama, and there is nothing inappropriate about associating welfare initiatives with Lord Rama. He expressed that the BJP adheres to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Rama and supports the Centre's decision in that regard.

When questioned about the absence of BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, Ashoka clarified, “He has gone to Delhi to greet the newly appointed national president Nitin Nabin.”