Bengaluru: Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes would not be discontinued and expressed confidence that they would continue even after the party returns to power following the next Assembly election.
Siddaramaiah slams BJP
Siddaramaiah described the BJP as an “anti-poor party” that had opposed the guarantee schemes from the very beginning. He also accused the BJP of hypocrisy, claiming that while it criticised the guarantee schemes in Karnataka, it had adopted similar welfare measures in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal to win elections.
Siddaramaiah said the government was committed to ensuring that the benefits reached genuine beneficiaries and stressed that preventing the misuse of public funds was the responsibility of an elected government. He urged people not to misuse the schemes and appealed to Opposition parties to cooperate in ensuring that the benefits reach eligible citizens instead of spreading misinformation for political gain.
Shivakumar clarifies eligibility
Backing the assurance, chief minister DK Shivakumar clarified that the guarantee schemes are meant only for eligible residents of Karnataka and not for people from other states. He said the state cabinet has decided to issue identity cards to beneficiaries to ensure that welfare benefits reach genuine recipients. Shivakumar said the Opposition was attempting to create confusion among beneficiaries by spreading misinformation. He clarified that the government’s focus was solely on ensuring that the benefits reach genuine and eligible beneficiaries in the state.
“The guarantee schemes are meant for the people of Karnataka and cannot be extended to residents of other states. Even Gruha Jyothi should benefit residents of Karnataka and those who have voting rights here. Why should we extend it to others?” Shivakumar questioned.
BJP counters
BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused the government of reneging on its election promises by attempting to alter the eligibility criteria for its guarantee schemes. Vijayendra said Congress had promised welfare benefits to all eligible citizens during the assembly election campaign without imposing additional conditions.
He claimed Gruha Lakshmi, especially, was projected as a benefit for every woman in the state and questioned the government’s recent efforts to tighten eligibility norms. “Congress promised these guarantees without any preconditions. Now, because it is finding it difficult to mobilise funds, it is blaming beneficiaries and attempting to change the rules midway,” Vijayendra alleged.
