Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 9: Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Friday said that the pending payments under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme for February and March 2025 will be released soon, clarifying that beneficiaries whose BPL ration cards have been cancelled will not receive the amount.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Hebbalkar said that as soon as the finance department gives its approval, the Gruha Lakshmi assistance for February and March 2025 will be credited to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. She added that the matter has already been discussed with the chief minister, who has also responded on the issue in the legislature.

The minister made it clear that beneficiaries whose BPL cards have been cancelled will not be eligible for Gruha Lakshmi payments. She said the state government is scrutinising ration cards and cancelling ineligible and illegal BPL cards, and as a result, the financial assistance under the scheme is also being stopped for such cardholders.

Earlier, Gruha Lakshmi benefits were extended to BPL, APL and Antyodaya cardholders. However, BPL cards of income tax payers have now been cancelled, and consequently, Gruha Lakshmi payments to such beneficiaries have also been halted.

Hebbalkar said some beneficiaries did not receive payments as their ration cards were cancelled during the verification process. She clarified that once updated data is received from the food department, eligible beneficiaries will get the pending amount.

“Payments are being made based on ration card data. If ration cards are cancelled, the amount may be put on hold. But if they are not income tax payers, they will receive the money,” she said.

On the Gruha Lakshmi Cooperative Society, the minister said members are required to deposit Rs 200 every month and will become eligible for loan facilities after six months. She said a committee under her chairmanship has been formed to identify eligible beneficiaries and provide loans without imposing excessive conditions. She also said there is a proposal to extend health insurance benefits to members.

Hebbalkar also spoke about the ‘Akkapade’ initiative, launched jointly by the Women and Child Development Department and the Home Department. She said the initiative has been started with ambitious goals, staff have already been appointed and training is underway. Akkapade teams will patrol bus stops, temples, malls and parks, she said.

She added that Akkapade teams will also visit schools and colleges to create awareness, assuring that the identities of women who file complaints will be kept confidential. Women facing cyber fraud, domestic issues or other forms of distress can also approach Akkapade, she said, adding that the initiative was discussed at length during the cabinet meeting.

Responding to the recent incident involving the stripping of a woman in Hubballi, the minister said that whoever is guilty should be punished, and justice must be delivered.