Will Karnataka's flagship schemes be continued? What DKS and Siddaramaiah say?

Reassuring beneficiaries, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state's guarantee schemes, including Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyoti, will continue and will not be withdrawn. "Under no circumstances are we stopping the guarantee schemes. That is not our programme," Shivakumar said.

Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the schemes would continue even after the Congress returns to power in the next Assembly election.

Flagship schemes

The five flagship guarantee schemes of the Karnataka government are Gruha Lakshmi, Shakti, Gruha Jyoti, Anna Bhagya and Yuva Nidhi.

The Gruha Lakshmi scheme provides Rs 2,000 to women heads of families living below the poverty line, while Gruha Jyoti offers free electricity of up to 200 units for household connections.

Also read: Karnataka spent Rs 97,813 crore on 'five guarantees': CM office

As the Congress government decided to invite fresh applications for the two pre-poll guarantees, the BJP and the JD(S) alleged that the government was imposing conditions on beneficiaries and thereby trying to curtail the reach of the schemes.

Streamlining process

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the guarantees and said the government was streamlining beneficiary data to prevent misuse and diversion of funds.

The ongoing exercise was aimed only at ensuring that the benefits reached genuine beneficiaries, he added.

He said the government was seeking updated photographs, identification details and other records after finding instances where Gruha Lakshmi benefits were being transferred to incorrect accounts due to inaccurate information provided by beneficiaries.

Also read: Karnataka to roll out smart cards for women for free bus travel

"In the rush, some people have provided someone else's phone number. As a result, money is being transferred into someone else's account. The money should go directly to the rightful beneficiary's account. Some others are withdrawing the money. We have all the records regarding this," he said.

‘Meant for Karnataka residents’

The CM said the guarantee schemes were meant for Karnataka residents and that the government was taking steps to ensure that the benefits reached eligible people. "We are providing these guarantee schemes for the people of Karnataka. We are not extending them to people from other states," he said.

He added that the government had already decided to introduce identification cards for beneficiaries of the Shakti free bus travel scheme and was now implementing the process.

Concerns over misuse

Shivakumar underlined that the guarantee schemes had become a model for other states and would continue despite criticism from the opposition. "These guarantees are a model for the nation, and they will not be stopped under any circumstances," he said.

He also expressed concern over the alleged misuse of welfare benefits through Ponzi and fraudulent investment schemes, saying officials had been instructed to keep a close watch on such activities. "In some cases, this money is being diverted into Ponzi schemes and is being misused," he said, referring to recent financial fraud cases reported from parts of the state.

Also read: Karnataka's ‘guarantee’ schemes made ‘impactful change’: Congress releases study report

Maintaining that the guarantees were introduced to support families amid rising prices and economic hardship, Shivakumar said the government remained committed to empowering women and improving household welfare through the schemes.

Siddaramaiah expresses confidence

Taking to social media, Siddaramaiah claimed that efforts to rectify shortcomings identified in the implementation of the schemes have been underway since the beginning and are continuing even now.

"The five guarantee schemes will not be discontinued for any reason. Not only for the next two years, but even after the next election, when we return to power, these schemes will continue," he said.

Slams Opposition

Terming the BJP an "anti-poor" party, the former CM alleged that it has opposed the guarantee schemes from day one. "Initially, it claimed that implementing the schemes was impossible. Later, it said the government would go bankrupt due to a financial crunch. Now, it is spreading rumours that the schemes will be discontinued. This is a reflection of its political frustration," he alleged.

Also read: Gruha Jyothi: No free electricity for tenants? What CM DK Shivakumar said

The Congress leader further claimed that the BJP, which has consistently opposed its guarantee schemes, has copied the same schemes in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal and come to power.

"What moral authority does it have to oppose these schemes? Although the BJP promised guarantee-type schemes ahead of elections in some states, it has been unable to implement them fully," he alleged.