Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 9: In a major step towards strengthening women’s economic empowerment, Karnataka’s flagship Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which has already benefited millions of women across the state, is set to gain a new dimension.
Along with the existing monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000, beneficiaries will now be eligible for low-interest loans of up to Rs 3 lac, announced Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar here on Saturday.
The new initiative, called the Gruha Lakshmi Multipurpose Cooperative Society, will be officially launched on November 19 at a grand ceremony at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium.
“We have successfully implemented Gruha Lakshmi, one of the world’s largest social welfare programmes. To further empower its beneficiaries, we are now introducing this cooperative society,” Hebbalkar said.
Through this society, Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries can avail loans of up to Rs 3 lac at interest rates lower than the market rate to start small businesses, pursue self-employment ventures, or meet emergency requirements.
Hebbalkar added that contributions have already been collected from over 2,000 members, and all financial transactions will be conducted transparently through PhonePe. The government aims to expand the society’s reach to all districts within the next three months.
The launch event, scheduled to coincide with the birth anniversary of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, will also see the unveiling of three major initiatives. The first is the Gruha Lakshmi Bank, a dedicated banking facility for women beneficiaries. The second is Akka Pade, or Sister Squad, a new state-level initiative to ensure women’s safety. The third is a cybercrime awareness drive focusing on the growing threat of digital crimes, including deepfake content targeting women, which will be monitored by the Akka Pade.
The Akka Pade will include home guards and NCC cadets patrolling public spaces such as schools, colleges, parks, and malls between 8 am and 8 pm to ensure women’s safety. Around 40,000 women from across the state are expected to attend the event, underscoring the government’s commitment to combining welfare with empowerment.