Belagavi: The ongoing winter session in Belagavi has witnessed a fresh political storm over the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana, one of the flagship schemes of the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka. Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has come under fire for providing what the opposition claims are incorrect figures regarding the release of funds under the scheme.
The Gruha Lakshmi Yojana, part of the government’s five guarantee promises, is intended to provide Rs. 2,000 per month directly to women who are home-makers. However, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai has raised serious concerns, stating that the money has not been credited to beneficiaries’ accounts for several months. During the session, the minister claimed that Gruha Lakshmi funds had been deposited in accounts up to August 2025.
Reacting to these claims, Tenginkai presented official government documents in the House, revealing that payments for February and March 2025 had not been released. “Where did the Rs 5,000 crore go?” the MLA asked, questioning the accountability of the minister and the government. He alleged that providing misleading information to the House amounts to a disregard for parliamentary rights and decorum.
In a letter to the Speaker U.T. Khader, Tenginkai emphasized that the Gruha Lakshmi money had not been released as claimed by the minister. He requested an urgent opportunity to address the issue in the House. According to Tenginkai, the documents he released include data from multiple districts, including Gadag and Haveri, confirming that the disbursement for February and March remains pending.
Speaking after releasing the documents, Tenginkai said, “On December 9, I asked Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar about the release of Gruha Lakshmi funds. I pointed out that the money for February and March 2025 had not been released. The minister claimed it had been disbursed till August. We asked them to verify again, but they insisted the funds had been given. The records prove otherwise. If the funds were indeed released, then where did the Rs 5,000 crore go?”
The issue drew attention during Zero Hour when Opposition Leader R. Ashok highlighted the discrepancies. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded, acknowledging the delay and assuring that the outstanding payments would be made. He also confirmed that the minister would provide a detailed response on December 15, Monday regarding the release of the funds.
The controversy over the Gruha Lakshmi Yojana underscores growing concerns over transparency and accountability in welfare schemes. While the government maintains that funds have been allocated as per plan, the opposition insists that the beneficiaries have not received their rightful payments. The Rs 5,000 crore earmarked for women’s financial empowerment has now become the center of political debate, with opposition leaders demanding a full audit and explanation for the delays.
As the winter session continues, the issue is expected to dominate discussions, with Tenginkai and other opposition leaders pressing the government for clarity. The spotlight is now firmly on Minister Hebbalkar and the state administration to explain the fate of the funds and ensure that beneficiaries receive the financial support promised under the flagship scheme.
