CM Siddaramaiah Assures Guarantee Schemes Will Continue
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reassured people of Karnataka that the state government’s flagship programmes five guarantee schemes which were implemented immediately after formation of the government will continue.
His statement came following growing calls from the ruling Congress MLAs and Ministers that these schemes should be revised or revamped to mitigate financial stress on the state exchequer.
He was addressing a gathering after hoisting national flag and receiving the guard of honor at the 78th Independence Day celebration organized by the Karnataka Government, , Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and Bengaluru Urban District Administration at Field Marshal Manik Shaw Parade Ground here, he said, the government is working to bring economic security to the lives of all people in the state by implementing five guarantee schemes as promised in the election. It is a matter of pride that Karnataka is realizing the concept of Universal Basic Income on a large scale, providing financial assistance to families in distress. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said these schemes will continue.
“We will respond to those who predict that the state will go bankrupt due to Gruhalakshmi, Shakti, Gruha Jyoti, Anna Bhagya, and Yuva Nidhi schemes by demonstrating economic progress in the state. The government is eager to take measures to make new innovations and make them more helpful to the beneficiaries.”
“Under the Shakti scheme, women have received 270 crore free trips. Women have saved Rs. 6541 crore in travel expenses. Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, cash transfer is being made instead of rice due to the non-cooperation of the center in providing additional rice. Our government’s welfare schemes are not limited to just five guarantees; Rs. 13,027 crore has been spent under various schemes to provide social security to the vulnerable sections,” he said.
“After our government came to power, the state has faced completely different situations in two monsoon seasons. While the state suffered severe drought last year, it has been subjected to excessive rainfall this year. Although the central government provided drought relief funds late, precautions were taken to ensure that people in the state did not face many inconveniences due to drought. This year, flood-affected districts have been visited. Instructions have been given to provide immediate relief for loss of life, death of livestock, and house damage. Steps have been taken to allocate houses with Rs. 1.2 lakh compensation for those who lost their homes. The government has seriously considered nature’s warning that it is essential to achieve a balance between development and the environment.,” said Siddaramaiah.
To address regional imbalances, works costing Rs. 5,000 crore are being undertaken through the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board in the current year. The principles of Kayaka, Dasoha, and equal society propounded by Basavadi Sharanas are the fundamental aspirations of the Constitution. Based on these values, the government is giving special priority to social justice and economic equality for the overall development of the state, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
