The Karnataka government on Wednesday launched its Gruha Lakshmi scheme that proposes to give Rs 2,000 each month to women heads of families.
As many as 1.1 crore women will receive the money, said Chief Minister Siddararamaiah.
The scheme was launched by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi at a function in Mysuru.
The scheme was part of the “five guarantees” that the Congress promised in its election manifesto. The other four were 200 units of free electricity to all households, 10 kilograms of free rice to all members of families living below the poverty line, free bus travel for women and Rs 3,000 to those unemployed for up to two years after graduation, and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders. Of these, only the scheme promising an allowance to youths remains to be implemented.
Gruha Lakshmi is the world’s largest cash transfer scheme, said former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
“Congress will replicate it across the country as the scheme serves as a safety net for women,” he added.
“Our five schemes in Karnataka are not just schemes, but a governance model. Our thinking is that the government should work for the poor and weak, and no one should be left behind irrespective of religion, caste, or the language they speak,” he added.
