Belagavi: Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Thursday firmly defended the Congress government’s implementation of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, stating that the government has honoured its commitment to women with responsibility and transparency.
Speaking to the media in Belagavi, the minister reiterated that 23 instalments of Gruha Lakshmi assistance have already been credited to beneficiaries and that she continues to stand by her statement made in the Assembly.
“Our government and my department have remained committed to the promise made to the women of the state. The Gruha Lakshmi scheme was introduced to ensure that women can live their lives with dignity and self-respect, and I am discharging that responsibility sincerely,” Hebbalkar said.
Responding to questions raised by BJP leaders regarding delays in payments for February and March, the minister clarified that her department regularly sends requisition letters to the Finance Department every month.
“Once the funds are released by the Finance Department, I immediately forward the file for disbursement. If payments for those two months have not been credited, questions must be directed to the Finance Department,” she said.
On allegations that ₹5,000 crore had not been released, Hebbalkar dismissed the charge, stating that payments have been made strictly in accordance with the funds released by the Finance Department. “There is no need to exaggerate this issue. We have paid whatever amount has been sanctioned,” she added.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also came to the defence of the minister, rejecting claims that misleading information was provided to the House. He said Gruha Lakshmi assistance has been distributed to women for the last 24 months without interruption.
Shivakumar accused the opposition of deliberately raising the issue to divert attention from the National Herald case. “The opposition does not want a discussion on the harassment of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald matter.
To derail the proceedings of the House, they are staging unnecessary drama,” he alleged, asserting that there was no misinformation in the statements made by the minister.
Also Read: Landlady murdered by tenant couple over unpaid rent, body stuffed in suitcase
