Shivakumar says guarantees 'burden' on govt, but will continue to reach beneficiaries
Bengaluru (PTI): The ruling Congress' five "guarantees" aimed at different segments of the society are a "burden" on the state exchequer but the people will continue receiving these benefits, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday.
He was repeating his remarks made on Wednesday.
He, however, said that many drew benefits in the name of "dead people", which has to be stopped.
"There is no need to revise the guarantees," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the state government's five guarantees were aimed at strengthening families financially and mentally. He asserted that welfare measures would continue despite the burden on the exchequer.
His comments have to led to a debate in the state, with ruling and opposition leaders weighing in.
While the Congress said the benefits of the guarantees should be limited to people below the poverty line, the opposition BJP charged that development works have come to a halt in the state.
The five guarantee schemes are 'Gruha Jyothi,' offering 200 units electricity free to every household, 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme that provides Rs 2,000 to every woman head of a family and 'Anna Bhagya' offering 10 kg rice to every member of the BPL family a month.
The 'Yuva Nidhi' scheme promises Rs 3,000 dole to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders for two years (in the 18-25 age-group) and the 'Shakti' scheme permits free travel for Karnataka women to travel within the state in government non-luxury buses.
Speaking at an event here earlier, Shivakumar said 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 people across sectors and would not compromise on allocations for key departments, asserting that welfare and confidence-building measures were central to governance.
Backing Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mangaluru on Wednesday that the state government would continue implementing its five guarantee schemes despite the heavy financial commitment involved, asserting that development works were not being compromised.
Responding to questions from reporters on the his deputy's remarks that the schemes were a burden, Siddaramaiah said that the expenditure was substantial but necessary.
"If you say 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 benefit should be limited to people below 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.
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Karnataka Minister directs officials to expedite integration of 28 services in various depts
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Thursday directed officials to expedite the integration of the remaining 28 services in various departments under the SWS.
The direction was issued at a review meeting on EoDB and Single Window Committees held at Vidhana Soudha, attended by senior officials from various departments.
In a statement, Patil said, "We face intense competition from neighbouring states. We have studied their policies and regulations and are determined to establish a system that is even more efficient and industry-friendly," he said.
Under the Single Window System, 115 services across 20 departments have already been integrated, the minister said, adding the remaining 28 services have been prioritised for time-bound implementation.
Patil said Revenue, Forest, Home, Environment, Primary Education, Fire Services and Energy departments are among the services.
According to the minister, the goal is to ensure that investors do not lose valuable time and are encouraged to invest in Karnataka.
He sought cooperation of all the government departments to make it happen.
Referring to emerging challenges, he said Karnataka has long been a frontrunner in the IT sector but the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced new uncertainties.
He stressed that all departments, including KIADB, must ensure swift approvals for industrial projects.
Patil underlined that entrepreneurs should not be subjected to "unnecessary delays," he said, adding that clearances for electricity connections, Fire Department NOCs and Pollution Control Board approvals must be issued promptly.
Detailing the reforms, the minister said the time limit for Fire Department NOCs has been reduced from 60 days to 21 days, while electricity connection approvals have been cut from 25 days to 10 days. Permission for lift and escalator operations has been brought down from 40 days to 20 days, and new water connection approvals from 42 days to 30 days, he said.
The Labour Department will now issue industrial licences and boiler registrations within 14 days instead of 30 days, he said, noting that necessary notifications have already been issued.
"These amendments will soon be placed before the Cabinet and formalised through legislation on a fast-track basis," Patil said.
He further stated that timelines at the State Pollution Control Board have been significantly reduced.
Change-of-land-use permission within Bengaluru city limits, which earlier took up to 120 days, will now be granted within 45 days.
With 32 data centres currently operating in the state, Patil underscored the importance of uninterrupted power supply and called for the development of dedicated data centre clusters with exclusive power lines.
A ministerial-level meeting will soon be convened to identify suitable locations and ensure essential infrastructure, including power connectivity, he said.
