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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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
