CM says Rs 34k crore required for guarantee schemes, resources to be mobilised in budget

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that people are happy about the guarantee schemes in the state, adding that over Rs 34,000 crore is required for the schemes and action has also been taken to mobilise resources in the budget.

Siddaramaiah was replying to the debate on the budget in the Legislative Council on Friday. “A total of Rs 34,654 crores resources will be mobilised for guarantee schemes which include Rs 13,500 crore additional tax collection, additional loan of Rs 8,068 crore, Rs 6,086 crore through re-prioritisation of capital investment and Rs 7,000 crore through re-prioritisation of revenue projects”, he said.

He said that these guarantee schemes will fill people’s pockets who were hit by price hikes and added that the schemes are inspired by Universal Basic Income programmes in developed countries. The CM said that the guarantee schemes have been implemented with the objective of fair distribution of resources.

“The budget size of the state is Rs 3,26,747 crore, which is 22 per cent more than the budget size of 2022-23. Fiscal deficit is 2.6 per cent, the debt rate is 22 per cent of GSDP. Hence, our government has followed two criteria to maintain fiscal discipline under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This time, a deficit budget of Rs 15,523 crore was presented due to guarantee schemes. The deficit has been reduced when compared to previous years. Every effort will be made to present a revenue surplus budget next time”, he said.

The CM clarified that the state is not financially bankrupt. “Our government is making a sincere effort to fulfill our promises. The 76 programmes mentioned in the manifesto have been announced in the budget along with the implementation of guarantee schemes. Around 50 lakh women are travelling under the Shakti scheme every day. A total of 23 crore passengers have availed of this facility”, he said.

He further said, “About 1.16 crore families have already registered under the Gruha Jyoti scheme. Free electricity facility up to 200 units will be available from July 1”, he said.

The Chief Minister explained that additional food grains were not provided by the central government. “Hence, Rs 170 per beneficiary per month is being transferred to 4.42 crore beneficiaries under Anna Bhagya scheme and Rs 337.08 crore has been transferred to 57.51 families so far”, he added.

“For the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Rs 32,000 crore annually and for the current year, Rs 18,000 crore is required. The Yuva Nidhi scheme is expected to start from the month of December. Skill development of unemployed youth will also be emphasized”, he said.

The Chief Minister recalled on the occasion that a separate department for skill development in the state was started during the previous tenure of his government. “During 2013-18, our government implemented various programmes with a budget of Rs 7.27 lakh crores. About 14,54,663 houses were built during our previous tenure whereas only 5,19,464 houses were built by the previous BJP government. Similarly, 14,169 km of road was upgraded when compared to 8,139 km by the BJP government”, he said.

He explained that 696 hostel buildings were constructed during his previous tenure when compared to 47 hostel buildings by the previous government. He further informed that the investigation into the Bitcoin scam, PSI recruitment scam, Covid equipment/drug procurement scam etc., of the previous government has already started. (ANI)