Karnataka government may be mulling pruning guarantee schemes, but ministers deny

BENGALURU:  Amid speculation over government mulling over stopping the Congress’s flagship five guarantee schemes and make some changes in the scheme to ensure it reaches only the eligible beneficiaries, the opposition leaders have taken a jibe at the government.

The total annual expense of the guarantee scheme are about Rs 60,000 crore and the Finance Department is reviewing it to identify areas where expenditures can be reduced.

The government is considering fixing the BPL (Below Poverty Line) criteria to ensure that only the deserving beneficiaries receive the benefits. If limitations are introduced, the government could save at least Rs 20,000 crore.

There is talk that a state minister held discussion with State Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala regarding the guarantees. Following the meeting, it is said that the AICC leaders have promised that a survey of the pros and cons of the guarantees should be conducted and that they will discuss this matter with the Chief Minister.

Some ministers and officials have expressed their willingness to review the scheme and make necessary changes. The government is also considering linking the scheme with the BPL criteria to reduce the number of beneficiaries and subsequently reduce expenditure.

The survey is expected to be completed soon and the government may take a decision on revising the schemes based on the findings. The move is seen as an effort to reduce the financial burden on the state government.

Currently, the scheme provides 10 kg of free rice to BPL cardholders under the Anna Bhagya scheme. However, there are allegations that some ineligible persons are also availing the benefits.

By fixing the BPL criteria, the government aims to reduce the number of beneficiaries and subsequently reduce the expenditure. The government is also considering linking other schemes, such as Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyoti, with the BPL criteria.

The move is expected to help the government reduce its financial burden and ensure that the benefits reach only the deserving beneficiaries.

Following the state government plan, the opposition leaders have started to criticise them, saying that the Congress-led government has introduced guarantee schemes without any guarantee of resources to the people.

However, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar denied the opposition’s statement and said that the allegations of the BJP are fake. “The guarantee plans will not be stopped for any reason. In some places, those with higher income are taking advantage of the guarantee schemes. They will be checked”, he said. He said that it is a lie that MLAs and ministers are not getting funding for development of their constituencies.