Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for potentially removing over one lakh women beneficiaries from the Gruha Laxmi guarantee scheme. Ashoka alleged that the government had initially promised Rs 2,000 monthly to women heads of households to secure votes before the elections but was now attempting to exclude beneficiaries after assuming power.
Ashoka expressed disappointment, stating that the Congress had shifted from “Gruha Lakshmi” to “Ineligible Lakshmi” post-elections, highlighting what he called the party’s true intentions. He claimed that the government had identified 1,12,092 women as ineligible across 17 districts, despite campaigning without conditions before the elections.
The BJP leader raised concerns about Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s alleged lack of awareness regarding the issue, questioning the government’s leadership. Ashoka criticized the government’s approach, accusing it of causing additional hardships for beneficiaries through biometric verification processes and creating obstacles under the guise of verification.
Ashoka demanded immediate action to rectify the situation, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive financial aid under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme without disruptions. He called out the Congress for using women as a vote bank and then depriving them of benefits after gaining power, questioning the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
