In a serious allegation against the state government, Hubballi MLA Mahesh Tenginakai has demanded answers regarding the whereabouts of a staggering Rs 5,000 crore allocated for the flagship Gruha Lakshmi Scheme. The legislator has accused the administration of deceiving the public under the banner of its guarantee initiatives.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Monday, Tenginakai launched a sharp critique, highlighting the non-payment of the Gruha Lakshmi benefit for two consecutive months. He asserted that this failure to disburse funds constitutes a breach of the government's guarantees to the people. The MLA revealed that he raised the issue during the legislative session and sought clarifications from the women and child development department, only to receive inconsistent and conflicting responses from different departments.
"Where did the Rs 5,000 crore go?" Tenginakai questioned pointedly, emphasizing the massive scale of the allegedly missing funds.
Broken Promises and Mounting Frustration
Tenginakai provided specific details, stating that he had gathered information from three districts which confirmed that no money was deposited into beneficiaries' accounts for the months of February and March. He recalled that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had personally assured that the amount would be deposited. However, the MLA noted that nearly twenty days have passed since that assurance, with no resolution in sight.
He further referenced Minister Krishna Byre Gowda's presentation of the second supplementary budget, which included a proposal to add guarantee scheme funds. Despite these budgetary provisions, the ground reality remains bleak for millions of beneficiaries.
A Call to Action and a Stern Warning
The MLA underscored the severe impact of this delay, stating that a staggering 1.24 crore mothers across Karnataka have been deprived of their entitled financial support. This failure, he argued, directly affects the welfare of households relying on this crucial assistance.
Issuing a stern ultimatum, Tenginakai warned the state government to immediately deposit all pending amounts. He declared that failure to do so would compel him and his supporters to take their protest to the streets, initiating a forceful agitation to fight for the rights of the neglected beneficiaries. The situation highlights growing tensions over the implementation of the government's popular welfare schemes.
