Karnataka govt's guarantee schemes ease financial burden, empower women: Study
Bengaluru: A year-long independent study has found that the Karnataka government’s five guarantee schemes have significantly empowered women, particularly from low-income households, by easing financial stress and improving household well-being.
The survey, led by independent policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy in collaboration with Lokniti-CSDS, Bangalore University, Tumkur University, and Indus Action, covered approximately 6,300 women across 15 districts in Karnataka. According to the study, as cited by The Hindu, 84% of respondents reported that the schemes reduced their families’ financial burden, while 89% felt that the guarantees contributed to their financial upliftment.
Improved nutrition, health, and independence
The study highlights how beneficiaries are utilising the monetary benefits and savings from the schemes. Around 91% of respondents said they used the funds to purchase food and dietary essentials such as grains, vegetables, fruits, pulses, eggs, and meat.
Nearly 95% of the women stated that their families ingested better nutrition and improved diets due to the benefits, while 90% reported increased access to healthcare.
Additionally, over 80% of women noted improvements in their personal health, nutrition, and financial security. More than 50% of respondents also indicated they had resumed or continued their education due to the support received.
Economic and social empowerment
According to the study, the direct benefit of Rs 2,000 per month through the Gruha Lakshmi scheme played a key role, while additional savings came from Gruha Jyoti, which helped over 90% of women save up to Rs 1,000 per month on electricity bills. The Shakti scheme enabled up to Rs 1,000 in weekly savings. Notably, 27% of respondents reported using savings from the five guarantees to repay loans.
The Shakti scheme also contributed to greater mobility and independence, with 67% of women travelling independently for work or leisure. About 19% were able to secure new or better-paying jobs due to free transportation.
Other guarantees also made an impact: Anna Bhagya improved household diets, Gruha Jyoti reduced electricity costs for 82% of families, and Yuva Nidhi supported skill development among unemployed youth, though the latter had a limited reach, benefiting just 7% of respondents.
“These schemes are a social safety net. The money is not sitting idle somewhere. Whether it is money received through Gruha Lakshmi or any savings that they have because of these schemes, it is all being spent mainly on food, nutrition and health,” The Hindu quoted Krishnaswamy as saying.
Challenges and recommendations
Despite the positive outcomes, the study also identified several challenges, including delays in benefit distribution, administrative hurdles, and technological barriers. It noted that many women beneficiaries have only basic education (up to the 10th standard or less) and often struggle with mobile apps, portals, ATMs, or even reading electricity bills.
The study recommends boosting financial and digital literacy through local panchayats to help bridge these gaps.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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