Bengaluru: Karnataka Government’s ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme has become a subject of confusion and debate as the question of identifying the female head of a joint family has risen. The Congress party’s election Manifesto had pledged to provide a monthly grant to the female head of the family through this scheme. However, the lack of clarity in the Manifesto has left room for uncertainties regarding the precise definition of the female head.
Laxmi Hebbalkar, the Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development, attempted to bring clarity to the situation on May 30. Hebbalkar drew upon tradition, claiming that the mother-in-law traditionally assumes the role of the female head in a household. As a result, under the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme, the grant will be allocated to the mother-in-law and not the daughter-in-law. Hebbalkar also emphasised that the mother-in-law has the discretion to share the funds with the daughter-in-law, should she choose to do so.
Despite this announcement, concerns persist among women who argue that the Government should extend the grant to all females within the household. Their contention is that limiting the grant to a single individual could potentially lead to conflict, particularly in joint family setups where defining a sole female head can be complex.
Critics of the scheme raise valid concerns about the potential for friction and the unintended consequences that may arise from designating a single female head. They caution that this approach might strain relationships among women living together and even contribute to the disintegration of joint families.
With mounting pressure from various quarters, the Government now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns. It remains to be seen whether revisions or amendments will be made to the eligibility criteria of the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme, in order to ensure a more inclusive and harmonious implementation.