Karnataka government spent ₹1.85 lakh crore on five guarantee schemes

The Karnataka state government has spent a total of ₹1.85 lakh crore on its five ambitious guarantee schemes, according to H.M. Revanna, Chairman of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority, as reported by The Hindu. This expenditure accounts for 12 per cent of the state's total budget.

Revanna provided this information following a meeting held at the Zilla Panchayat office regarding the formation of guarantee committees at the Gram Panchayat and ward levels. He added that the benefits of these schemes have reached the beneficiaries directly without any involvement of middlemen or bribery. The benefits of these schemes have been received by all eligible beneficiaries without caste discrimination, and every family has received a benefit of approximately ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 under these schemes. He stated that despite criticism of these schemes in the initial days, they have been continuously reaching the beneficiaries.

Referring to the views of economists, Revanna said that Karnataka state ranks first among the states of the country in terms of per capita income. He further stated that the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme has empowered women economically. He directed the chairpersons of the taluka-level guarantee scheme committees to play an active role in forming implementation committees at the village and ward levels. These committees will include a total of six members, including two women.

The Authority's Vice-Chairperson, Pushpa Amarnathe, stated that the list of members for the Gram Panchayat and ward-level committees will be prepared and submitted to the state office within two days. Providing an important figure, District Committee President Arun Kumar stated that 15,724 beneficiaries registered under the five guarantee schemes died. Out of these, 7,778 families had applied to change the beneficiary, in which the female head of the family was nominated and found eligible. After the death of a beneficiary, family members can receive the benefits of these schemes by nominating the eldest woman of the family as the beneficiary.

Shivkumar, Vice-President of the District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, suggested that the Food and Civil Supplies Department should take the initiative to provide BPL cards on a priority basis to people suffering from serious health problems. Issues regarding beneficiaries facing technical difficulties while withdrawing money from banks were brought to the attention of the District Committee President, following which a suggestion was made to direct bank managers to resolve these complaints.

The purpose of these guarantee schemes run by the Karnataka state government is to provide direct financial support to the citizens of the state, which manages a large portion of the state budget.