Loans up to ₹3 lakh at low interest rates for Gruhalakshmi beneficiaries
Bengaluru
The Karnataka government will soon establish the Gruhalakshmi Multipurpose Cooperative Society to support beneficiaries of the Gruhalakshmi scheme across the state. The society will be expanded to all districts within three months, said Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on Wednesday.
Speaking at a state-level preparatory meeting held at the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Auditorium and Training Centre, the minister said the initiative is part of the upcoming celebrations for the Anganwadi Golden Jubilee, the launch of the Akka Force, and the inauguration of the Gruhalakshmi Bank on November 19 at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium.
Hebbalkar said that the world’s largest Gruhalakshmi Scheme has been successfully implemented, with funds already collected from around 2,000 beneficiaries. She called on officials to ensure the new society and bank gain similar success. “Loans of up to ₹3 lakh will be provided to beneficiaries at low interest rates through the Gruhalakshmi Society. The entire process will be transparent, and payments will be collected digitally through PhonePe,” she said.
Emphasising that the department’s core mission is women’s empowerment, Hebbalkar added, “My dream is to make the Women and Child Development Department the number one department in Karnataka.”
The minister also announced the launch of Akka Force—a state-wide initiative to ensure women’s safety. In collaboration with the police, Home Guards, and NCC students, the Akka Force will patrol public spaces such as schools, colleges, parks, and shopping malls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will also conduct awareness sessions on safety and provide assistance to women and students in distress.
BOX
Akka Force to Tackle Deep Fakes, Raise Awareness
Minister Hebbalkar noted that the growing threat of deep fakes is endangering girls and women. The Akka Force will take proactive measures to curb such misuse and will conduct a three-month door-to-door awareness campaign to educate people on online safety, women’s protection, and digital responsibility.