Bengaluru, February 26 – The five "guarantees" offered by the ruling Congress, aimed at different segments of society, are a "burden" on the state's finances, but the benefits will continue to be provided, said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday.
He made this statement on Wednesday as well.
However, he stated that many people were benefiting from the guarantees in an inappropriate manner, and this needed to be addressed.
"There is no need to revise the guarantees," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar said on Wednesday that the state government's five guarantees were intended to strengthen families financially and mentally. He asserted that welfare measures would continue despite the financial strain.
This statement has sparked debate in the state, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties weighing in.
While the Congress said that the benefits of the guarantees should be limited to those below the poverty line, the opposition BJP has accused the government of halting development projects in the state.
The five guarantee schemes include 'Gruha Jyothi,' which provides free electricity to every household, 'Gruha Lakshmi,' which gives Rs 2,000 to every woman head of a family, and 'Anna Bhagya,' which provides 10 kg of rice to every member of the BPL family each month.
The 'Yuva Nidhi' scheme offers Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders (aged 18-25), and the 'Shakti' scheme allows Karnataka women to travel freely within the state on government buses.
Speaking at an event here earlier, Shivakumar said that the guarantees were designed to ensure that money remains in the hands of citizens and that they do not lose confidence during times of distress.
He acknowledged that the schemes may place a financial burden on the government, but maintained that public welfare would not be compromised.
"It may be a burden on the government. But even if it is a burden, your financial strength should not weaken mentally," he said.
The Deputy CM reiterated that the Congress government would stand by the people and would not compromise on allocations for key departments, asserting that welfare and confidence-building measures are central to governance.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backed Shivakumar, telling reporters in Mangaluru on Wednesday that the state government would continue implementing its five guarantee schemes, despite the significant financial commitment involved, asserting that development works would not be compromised.
Responding to questions from reporters on the Deputy CM's remarks, Siddaramaiah said that the expenditure was substantial but necessary.
"If you say it's a burden, it amounts to more than Rs 52,000 crore per year. That might be what he meant," Siddaramaiah said.
He maintained that the government had already allocated significant funds towards fulfilling its poll promises and would continue to do so.
"We are continuing development works. We have already spent Rs 1.2 lakh crore on guarantee schemes," he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that welfare commitments and infrastructure development were being carried out simultaneously, dismissing suggestions that the guarantees were hindering governance priorities.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday that Shivakumar might have realised that these guarantees were a "burden".
Congress MLC B K Hariprasad said the government should have made it clear that the benefits should be limited to those below the poverty line (BPL).
"At the time of drafting the manifesto, I had said that those paying income tax should be excluded from the benefits of these guarantees," he said.
Reacting to the Deputy CM’s statement, Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said the Congress government in Karnataka did not do any work other than hailing the five guarantees.
"Apart from these five guarantees, the government could start no other programmes. Many leaders have said about it. Earlier it was former Minister R V Deshpande and now the DCM has said that the guarantees are a burden on them."
"I will not call it a burden. Had the government strengthened its hold on the administration then it would have introduced good schemes apart from these five guarantees," Kumaraswamy told reporters at Chamarajanagar.
The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said the government made false promises on guarantees.
"When over 2.5 lakh government posts are lying vacant in the state, why Yuva Nidhi scheme benefits are not reaching youths today. The fact is that no one has got the benefit of it. Why are you lying. Government should not lie," the BJP leader told reporters in Bengaluru.
Former minister and BJP MLC C T Ravi said it is not the guarantees but the government itself is a burden on Karnataka.
"You are number one in corruption. This government is a burden on people of the state. People are trying to get rid of this burden. But it is their Karma. They have to tolerate this government for two more years," Ravi said.