This is the biggest financial security scheme launched by any state for the upliftment of women, Ramesh said in a tweet. (File: PTI)
Ramesh said the scheme of the party-led government in Karnataka would ensure a direct transfer of Rs 2,000 every month to each female head of the household.
The Congress on Wednesday said the Karnataka government’s ‘Griha Lakshmi’ scheme is an ‘antidote’ to ‘BJP-made inflation’ and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take inspiration and come up with welfare schemes for the people.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Griha Lakshmi scheme of the party-led government in Karnataka would ensure a direct transfer of Rs 2,000 every month to each female head of the household.
“The annual expenditure would be around Rs 30,000 crore and would benefit around 1.26 crore women and their families in the state. This is the biggest financial security scheme launched by any state for the upliftment of women, Ramesh said in a tweet.
“Griha Lakshmi is a step towards our commitment to ensure Universal Basic Income for all citizens of the state. It is also an antidote to Modi-created inflation that is burning a huge hole in every Indian’s pocket,” he said, adding the launch of the scheme is another guarantee made by the Karnataka Congress.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, party general secretary Randeep Surjewala said the Congress government in Karnataka is launching the “world’s largest direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, Gruha Lakshmi”.
AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka said the scheme is the Congress’s “biggest attack” on “BJP-made inflation”.
He said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had promised the scheme during the party’s election campaign.
Surjewala said, there is still time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to learn and follow the path shown by the Congress government in Karnataka in adopting welfare schemes for the people.
“Instead, the prime minister described welfare schemes as rewards, thereby insulting the beneficiaries,” he said.
Surjewala said that welfare schemes are the constitutional duty and responsibility of every government.
Giving details of the scheme, Surjewala said that the registration will start from Wednesday and the money will be transferred between August 15 and 20.
He said that initially all the beneficiaries would be registered for the first month. He said that registration would be a continuous process.
Citing ration card details, Surjewala said that 1.28 crore women are the head of the household in Karnataka.
He said that every family, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, would get Rs 2,000 per month except income tax payers.
Surjewala said, 1.11 crore beneficiaries will get the benefit in the first year, totaling Rs 18,000 crore.
On completion of registration next year, the number of beneficiaries will be 1.35 crore, who will get Rs 30,000 crore.
He also called upon the Modi government to take a cue and reduce the prices of gas cylinders and essential commodities to provide relief to the people.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,