Title: Gruha Lakshmi Scheme to be Launched on August 16, Assures CM Siddaramaiah
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the anticipated Gruha Lakshmi Scheme will be officially launched on August 16. The scheme aims to provide a monthly assistance of ₹2,000 to women who are the heads of their households. While acknowledging that the scheme requires an application process and therefore some time to become fully operational, the Chief Minister assured the public that the government is committed to implementing the guarantees.
During the launch of the Anna Bhagya scheme on Monday, CM Siddaramaiah also revealed that another guarantee called Yuva Nidhi, which promises unemployment benefits to graduates and diploma holders from the academic year 2022-2023, will be launched around November or December. He emphasized that the government will uphold its promises, stating, It is 100% guarantee that we will implement our guarantees.
In response to concerns about the transfer of cash in place of free rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme, the Chief Minister explained that the State government faced challenges in procuring rice after the central government denied supply. The required amount of rice was unavailable in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab, and the central agencies quoted higher prices. Nevertheless, to meet their commitment of launching the scheme on time, the government decided to transfer money to beneficiaries until sufficient rice supply can be obtained. The tendering process for rice procurement has already begun.
The Anna Bhagya scheme is the third guarantee introduced by the Congress government, following Shakti (free bus travel for women) and Gruha Jyothi (200 units of free power). With an annual cost exceeding ₹10,000 crore, the scheme will benefit 4.42 crore individuals holding 1.28 crore BPL and Antyodaya cards. Under the cash transfer system, each person will receive ₹170 per month in place of 5 kg of free rice. The government determined the value of rice at ₹34 per kg, which is the price at which the Food Corporation of India sells it.
The distribution of cash to beneficiaries began in Mysuru and Kolar on Monday, and over the course of the week, direct benefit transfers (DBT) will be extended to recipients in four districts. The Chief Minister’s Office noted that the first Anna Bhagya scheme was launched by the Siddaramaiah government exactly ten years ago.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the BJP government at the Center, CM Siddaramaiah criticized their actions, calling it dirty politics. He questioned whether it was political vengeance or an anti-poor stance. He pointed out that while the Center prevented states from participating in the auction, the e-auction itself failed to find any takers.
As the launch of the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme approaches, the government is striving to ensure the smooth implementation of the guarantees it has promised. With the Anna Bhagya scheme now underway, eligible individuals will receive financial assistance until the rice supply can meet the demand. The state government remains committed to its objectives and aims to prioritize the welfare of its citizens.
