Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the Siddaramaiah government over the alleged delay in releasing pending instalments under the government’s ambitious Gruhalakshmi scheme, which provides monthly financial assistance to women heads of families.
A division bench comprising Justice Suraj Govindaraj and Justice K. Manmadha Rao heard a public interest litigation filed by Bengaluru residents R. Ganga and G.D. Pavitra seeking immediate disbursal of the pending payments to beneficiaries.
After hearing preliminary arguments, the bench directed the Congress government to file its objections and issued a formal notice in the matter before adjourning further proceedings.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioners argued that lakhs of poor and economically weaker women across the state were heavily dependent on the Gruhalakshmi scheme for their daily survival and household expenses. The delay in releasing instalments had caused severe financial hardship to beneficiaries, the petitioners submitted.
The petitioners urged the High Court to direct the Karnataka government to immediately transfer all pending instalments directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries without further delay.
According to the petition, beneficiaries did not receive the February and March instalments for the 2024-25 financial year. The petition further alleged that nearly Rs 5,000 crore in public funds earmarked for the scheme had reportedly lapsed due to administrative transfers and procedural issues.
The petitioners also referred to statements made in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly by the Women and Child Development Minister regarding delays and technical problems affecting the scheme.
The Gruhalakshmi scheme was one of the flagship guarantees announced by the ruling Congress government during the Karnataka Assembly elections. Under the scheme, women identified as heads of households are entitled to receive Rs 2,000 every month as direct financial assistance.
The scheme was officially launched in June 2023 and has since emerged as one of the state government’s biggest welfare initiatives targeting women and economically vulnerable families.
According to official figures cited in the petition, more than 1.28 crore women and transgender beneficiaries have registered under the scheme across Karnataka. The government has reportedly spent over Rs 52,416.17 crore on the implementation of the programme so far.
The issue of pending Gruhalakshmi payments had earlier triggered massive uproar in the Karnataka Assembly as opposition members questioned the government over non-payment of instalments for two consecutive months.
Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar had later addressed the Assembly and expressed regret over the delay. She also acknowledged disruptions in the release of funds and assured the House that corrective measures were being taken.
Earlier, the minister had stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would provide clarification in the Assembly regarding the alleged non-release of nearly Rs 5,000 crore connected to the scheme.
The delay in payments has reportedly affected lakhs of beneficiaries, particularly women from economically weaker sections who depend on the monthly assistance for groceries, healthcare, children’s education and household expenses.
Several beneficiaries across districts have reportedly complained that the scheme amount has not been credited to their accounts for months despite successful registration and verification.
The PIL has now brought the issue before the High Court, increasing pressure on the Karnataka government to clarify the status of pending payments and ensure timely disbursal of funds.
The High Court is expected to hear the matter again after the state government submits its response regarding the delay, financial allocations and administrative hurdles linked to the Gruhalakshmi scheme.
