Gruha Lakshmi launch on Monday by Cong national leaders?

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The launch of ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme, one of the Karnataka government’s poll guarantees, could be delayed until Monday as the ruling Congress wants its national leaders to inaugurate it.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Woman and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said if the Congress national leaders do not come on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will launch the scheme on Wednesday.

“We want our national leaders to launch it. We have written to them. If they agree then we will launch it on Monday at 5pm at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha. If they do not find time, then the CM will launch it on July 19,” she said.

Under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, each “women head of household” across the state would receive Rs2,000 every month. Those possessing Above Poverty Line (APL) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards, apart from Antyodaya cards can avail the benefit.

However, the income tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) payers cannot, the minister told reporters.

Register at usual centres

The registration of the scheme can be done at Karnataka-1, Bengaluru-1, Grama-1 or Bapuji Seva Kendra centres.

The designated women head of the families should approach these centres with the APL or BPL or Antyodaya card and their Aadhaar card, which must be linked to their bank account.

If someone does not have their bank account linked with Aadhaar, then they can produce a passbook, she said, adding that those willing to avail the benefit will also have to carry with them Aadhaar linked mobile phone to the centres.

“The details of the passbook will be fed into the system. If the information of the beneficiary on the passbook matches with that on the ration card, then the software will immediately approve it,” Hebbalkar explained.

Arrangements would be made to issue orders and the department would send the order copy through the Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) or Anganwadi workers.

The beneficiaries would also receive a text message containing details of the time and place to enroll for the scheme, she said.

No deadline

Hebbalkar said that if the beneficiaries miss the appointment, then they can visit the same centre after 5 pm to get themselves registered as there is no deadline.

“There is no deadline for the enrollment of the scheme because it is a continuous process,” she added.

For any clarification, people can send a text message to 8147500500 or can call the helpline number 1902.

The department has decided to hire ‘Praja Pratinidhi’ (Citizens’ representative), who will go to the beneficiaries and help them get enrolled for the scheme. She also warned of stringent action against those demanding money for the enrollment of the scheme.