Gruha Lakshmi launch most likely on Monday evening, announces minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar

BENGALURU: Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Saturday announced that Gruha Lakshmi scheme will be rolled out on July 17, most likely by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said the Gruha Lakshmi scheme will be launched through a mobile app at an event at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha on Monday at 5 pm subject to confirmation of the participation of the Congress national leaders. If the national leaders are not available, then the scheme will be launched on July 18, she said.

However, the mobile app will not be released for public use and only applications can be submitted only through elected representatives, Bapuji Seva Kendras, GramaOne, KarnatakaOne and BangaloreOne centres. In Bengaluru, registration can be done at the BBMP ward office and in other cities, at the civic body offices too.

For the purpose of registration, there are 11,000 centres and 30 slots each will be available in the morning and afternoon hours to register 6.58 lakh applications every day. There will be no last date for registration and BPL card holders can register on any day, she explained.

Hebbalkar said the woman head of family mentioned in the ration card will be considered for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme and they will be intimated through SMS about the time and date for registration. Applicants can also call 1904 or send and SMS to 8147500500 and get details. But if the husband is a taxpayer or is filing GST returns, they will not be considered for the scheme benefit. If they miss the appointment, they can visit the same registration centres between 5 pm and 7 pm.

The minister said that those whose Aadhaar and ration cards are already linked will get Rs 2,000 per month in their registered bank accounts through direct benefit transfer (DBT). If they desire, beneficiaries can also give a different bank account with all the details. Approval of the applications will also be intimated through SMS. No charges will be levied on the applicants, she added.