Gruha Lakshmi scheme empowering women economically, socially; No question of stopping it: CM
Belagavi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah affirmed on Wednesday that his government’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme has significantly empowered women both economically and socially, and there is no question of discontinuing it.
Speaking to reporters after interacting with beneficiaries of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, he underscored the transformative impact of the scheme on women's lives.
The CM revealed that over 25 beneficiaries shared their experiences and explained how the financial support from the Gruha Lakshmi scheme has helped them improve their standard of living. He highlighted that the women expressed their gratitude towards the government and the concerned ministers for bringing positive change to their lives.
Siddaramaiah also addressed opposition criticism, particularly from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who claimed that the scheme had caused tensions between mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. He refuted these allegations, pointing out that all the beneficiaries spoke about the benefits of the scheme.
Furthermore, he expressed his satisfaction with the scheme's positive outcomes and assured that the government would continue to support the Gruha Lakshmi initiative to further uplift women in the state.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
