done by congress before karnataka elections five ‘guarantees’ The implementation of the promise could cost the state exchequer about Rs 50,000 crore every year. On spending on welfare measures, prominent party leaders have insisted that one cannot call them “freebies” as they are tools of empowerment. Political analysts say that the five ‘guarantees’ have contributed significantly to the Congress’s resounding victory in the May 10 assembly elections.
What are the five guarantees of the Congress?
The Congress has promised to implement ‘five guarantees’ on the first day of coming to power in Karnataka. These promises include 200 units of free electricity to all households (Griha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the female head of every household (Griha Lakshmi), 10 kg free food to each member of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family (Anna Bhagya) rice, Rs 3,000 per month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for two years to unemployed diploma holders (both in the 18-25 age group) (Yuva Nidhi) and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti) .
BJP’s allegation
Some BJP leaders have alleged that the implementation of these ‘guarantees’ will push the state into financial bankruptcy and have also claimed that the Congress will not be able to fully honor its pre-poll promises.
50,000 crore will be spent for five guarantees
Vice-Chairman of Congress Manifesto Drafting Committee Professor K.E. Radhakrishna said in an interview with PTI on Wednesday that the implementation of the five ‘guaranteed’ schemes would not cost more than Rs 50,000 crore annually. Radhakrishna said that some Congress leaders have also expressed doubts about the implementation of these guarantees. He said, “Some of our leaders also have this perception but we are very confident because I have worked out the financial implications. It does not exceed Rs.50,000 crore. Even Rs 50,000 crore is not a donation. This is empowerment.
The total budget of Karnataka is about three lakh crores.
Elaborating on how these schemes would be implemented, the educationist said that the total budget of the Karnataka government is around three lakh crore rupees. Radhakrishna said that at least 60 percent of the revenue of any good economy is spent on continuous development. He said it is spent on paying salaries of government employees and implementing empowerment programmes.
treasury position
Radhakrishna said, “Revenue transfers capital, capital transfers revenue. Therefore, out of the budget of three lakh crore rupees, Rs 1.50 lakh crore will have to be spent. If this does not happen then we will not have funds to spend another Rs 1.5 lakh crore. These two things are related to each other.
‘Anna Bhagya’ Scheme
He said that out of five guarantees, the ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme is already implemented and it has been extended under the new promise. The Congress leader said, “We were giving seven kilograms of rice. The BJP reduced it to five kilograms. Now once again we want to make it 10 kg. We are going to give rice and coarse grains, which will encourage its cultivation and production.
‘Griha Jyoti’ scheme
Regarding ‘Griha Jyoti’, Radhakrishna said that Karnataka is a state with surplus power availability and is selling power to other states. He said that the ‘guarantee’ of Rs 2,000 under the ‘Griha Lakshmi’ scheme is not for all women heads of families.
‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme
Radhakrishna clarified, “It is only for families below the poverty line. We will not give this amount to rich people. This scheme is only to empower the poor people. ”””’ He said about ‘Youth Fund’ that unemployment allowance is given in many countries around the world.
‘Shakti’ scheme
About the ‘Shakti’ scheme related to free bus travel for women, he said that already students are getting free ‘passes’ from their homes to go to college. He said, “Not every woman travels in buses. Only those people travel in buses, who are not rich. This (free travel guarantee) will empower textile workers, domestic servants and women engaged in menial jobs.
Karnataka Result: PFI supported party SDPI’s performance worst in Karnataka, account not even opened on 16 seats
