Sky won't fall: Karnataka Minister defends delay in Gruhalakshmi scheme payments

India Today

02-06-2025

Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi shrugged off concerns over the delay in Gruhalakshmi guarantee scheme payments, saying there's no need to panic. He said it's normal for government payments to be delayed by a month or two, and the money will be given in a lump sum later.'What's the big deal? What happens if money is given once every two or three months? The sky won't fall,' he told reporters. He explained that the government has a system in place — when there's a delay, payments are clubbed together and credited.advertisementJarkiholi also asked the media not to raise questions over minor delays. 'Even if it's late, we will complete the payments. There's no doubt about that,' he said.
His comment comes weeks after Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also said the government can't guarantee that money will be credited every month.Under the Gruhalakshmi scheme, the Congress government promises Rs 2,000 every month to the woman head of eligible households.Earlier today, the Karnataka government released Rs 7.65 crore as honorariums and sitting fees to Congress workers appointed to guarantee scheme implementation committees, even with reports of schemes like Gruhalakshmi facing delay.'This is an extension plan of looting. Earlier, corruption was at the top, now it has gone into the hands of karyakartas. They'll get commissions out of it. It's unfortunate,' said former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda.advertisement
IN THIS STORY#Karnataka