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Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has instructed authorities to issue directions to banks and financial institutions not to deduct the monthly payments made out to women beneficiaries under Gruha Lakshmi scheme towards loan instalments or interest.
Responding to a representation by Guarantee Implementation Authority State vice-president and MLC Dinesh Gooligowda, the Chief Minister has written to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to issue strict instructions to banks. “Write to the Bank Management Board, clearly inform them not to deduct money from Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries’ accounts towards loan instalments,” he directed the Chief Secretary.
In his representation, Mr. Gooligowda had detailed the problems faced by poor women due to deduction of Gruha Lakshmi money. “₹2,000 being credited every month to 1,24,48,000 women heads of families under Gruha Lakshmi scheme is a lifeline for daily needs, children’s education and self-reliance. But commercial banks, private finance companies and micro-finance institutions are deducting the money immediately on being credited citing old dues/interest, without informing the beneficiaries. This defeats the very purpose of the scheme,” he had said.
He had pointed out that in the recent District Level Bankers Review Committee (DLRC) meetings, district administrations had taken this seriously and clarified that Gruha Lakshmi money should not be confiscated for loan instalment or interest. He had urged the Chief Minister to issue directions to authorities concerned to file extortion cases and cancel licenses of private finance companies/agents who forcibly collect or threaten beneficiaries as soon as money is credited. He had demanded that DCs and SPs of districts should continuously monitor illegal deduction cases.
Chief Minister D.