The newly formed Karnataka cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, granted approval in principle to implement the five guarantee schemes outlined in the Congress party’s election manifesto. The decision was taken during the first cabinet meeting.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha, expressed his satisfaction with the cabinet’s agreement to implement the five guarantees, assuring the public that the government would spare no effort to see these schemes through.
“We are dedicated to delivering on our promises, regardless of the financial resources required,” he emphasized, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
The first among the guarantees is the Gruha Jyothi scheme, which will provide households with 200 units of free electricity every month. This scheme, estimated to cost around Rs 1,200 crore monthly, aims to alleviate the burden of electricity expenses on families. Additionally, the Gruhalaxmi scheme promises to provide Rs 2,000 to women heading households affected by price inflation, offering them much-needed support to cope with rising living costs.
To address the issue of unemployment, the government plans to provide financial assistance to graduates and diploma holders. Unemployed graduates, including engineers and MBBS degree holders, will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for a period of two years, while diploma holders will be entitled to Rs 1,500 per month. This initiative aims to provide temporary relief and enable these individuals to focus on their career prospects.
In a significant move toward gender equality and empowerment, the Karnataka government intends to issue bus passes to all women residing in the state. This initiative will allow women to travel free of charge on government transport services, excluding luxury vehicles. By removing financial barriers to transportation, the government aims to enhance mobility and accessibility for women across the state.
While the specific details and implementation plans are still being finalized, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reassured the public that the government is fully committed to its decisions. He emphasized that regardless of the financial implications, the government will remain steadfast in implementing these guarantee schemes to benefit the people of Karnataka.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the reopening of Indira canteens across the state, which will provide subsidized meals to the underprivileged. This initiative aims to address food insecurity and ensure that vulnerable sections of society have access to nutritious and affordable meals.
The Chief Minister also shared that a three-day assembly session will commence from Monday (May 22) to constitute the new assembly. A request has been sent to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to convene the session, and during this period, R.V. Deshpande, a senior leader, will assume the role of pro-tem Speaker. The appointment of the new Speaker will be announced in the session, marking an important step in the state’s legislative proceedings.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah raised concerns about the disparity in financial allocation, highlighting that Karnataka will receive Rs 50,000 crore from the central government this year. He emphasized that compared to other states, Karnataka faces injustice, as it contributes Rs 4 lakh crore in taxes to the central government. These concerns underscore the need for equitable distribution of resources to ensure the state’s progress and development.
With the approval of these guarantee schemes, the Karnataka government aims to address key socio-economic challenges and uplift the lives of its citizens. The implementation of these measures will be closely watched, as they hold the potential to positively impact the lives of thousands of households and individuals across the state. (Edited)
