Alleging large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the State Government’s Grihalakshmi Scheme, Virajpet BJP Mandal spokesperson Cheppudira Rakesh Devaiah has demanded that the Kodagu District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee disclose complete details of beneficiaries and explain the alleged misuse of public funds.
In a press release, Rakesh Devaiah stated that it has already been established in several parts of Karnataka that Grihalakshmi funds have been disbursed to ineligible beneficiaries. He demanded that the district committee publish detailed statistics on similar cases, if any, in Kodagu district.
Referring to the State Government’s recent decision to revise the implementation of the scheme, he said the move appears to have been initiated to prevent further exposure of irregularities. He alleged that the decision has itself raised doubts regarding the manner in which the scheme was implemented during the previous administration headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
According to him, the government’s decision to review the scheme suggests that large-scale irregularities may have occurred, with substantial amounts allegedly reaching undeserving beneficiaries in different parts of the State.
He further claimed that no information has so far been made public regarding reports of Grihalakshmi funds being credited to the accounts of ineligible persons or even deceased beneficiaries in Kodagu district. He urged both the district and taluk-level Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committees to place the relevant facts before the public and remove the prevailing confusion.
Rakesh Devaiah pointed out that the Government had constituted these implementation committees with the objective of ensuring that welfare benefits reached eligible beneficiaries. The committees, he said, receive salaries and other facilities from the Government and are expected to monitor the proper implementation of the schemes.
However, he questioned why committee chairpersons, who reportedly hold monthly review meetings to monitor the progress of the scheme, failed to identify the alleged diversion of funds to ineligible beneficiaries.
He further alleged that the Congress Government introduced financially burdensome guarantee schemes primarily to secure electoral success but has struggled to mobilise adequate financial resources after assuming office. Unable to bear the financial burden, the Government is now attempting to create confusion among beneficiaries under the pretext of revising the scheme, he claimed.
Instead of causing hardship to the people, the functioning of the Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committees should be investigated, he said, demanding that the committee chairpersons and senior officials concerned be held accountable if lapses are established.
