PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi has Said, “The five guarantee schemes are aimed at improving the economic conditions of the poor and lower middle classes. The targeted families should utilise the benefits judiciously.” He spoke to a gathering of beneficiaries of the schemes at the Government Sardars High School Grounds in Belgaum on Monday. He added “Each scheme saves some money for each family. I only advise the beneficiaries to utilise the benefits on the education of children or making small savings and in other positive ways.” He additionally urged the recipients to share information about these schemes with others.
Jarkiholi mentioned that the State government is arranging conferences for beneficiaries of the guarantee scheme at district and taluk levels to promote awareness. The annual expenditure by the State government for the well-being of the underprivileged exceeds ₹60,000 crore. While infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, and hospitals continue, there will be an increase in their development in the upcoming years. The Public Works Department is actively involved in repairing existing roads and constructing new ones in the State. Additionally, the State government is prioritizing initiatives like replenishing lakes with river water and constructing multi-speciality hospitals, he added.
The PWD Minister condemned the BJP for causing disturbances throughout the State under the pretext of raising saffron flags. “The youth should desist from such activities. Those leaders who are handing over flags to young people are sending their own children to higher studies in Europe and the U.S. They want the poor youth to work for the party so that they win and enjoy power,” he added.
Minister for Women and Child Development, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, stated that the accusations claiming that the guarantee schemes will deplete the Exchequer are unfounded. “Some of those who have made such allegations are also enjoying the benefits of the schemes,” she said.
She mentioned that the Gruha Lakshmi scheme has assisted more than one crore families in the State in overcoming challenging situations. In Belgaum alone, we are distributing ₹212 crore per month, which is no small amount,” she added. She characterized Chief Minister Siddharamaiah as the “Bhagya Yojana Sardar,” having successfully implemented the five guarantee schemes. “We have proved that we are pro-poor by keeping promises made before polls. These will not be stopped anytime in future,” she said. “We have built roads, bridges and temples unlike other parties that focus only on some projects,” she added.
Prakash Hukkeri, a State government representative in Delhi, mentioned that there hasn’t been a single complaint from the public regarding the schemes. “Officials tell me that Belgaum District is in the first place in the implementation of the schemes,” he added.
