Pro-poor welfare push has lifted per capita income, says Eshwar Khandre

“Our government is firmly pro-poor and committed to ensuring the all-round development of the underprivileged. Because of these welfare measures, Karnataka has earned the distinction of having one of the highest per capita incomes in the country,” Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister and district in-charge Eshwar Khandre said on Tuesday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a district-level “Guarantee Workshop-Guarantee Utsav” on the implementation of the State government’s five guarantee schemes in Bidar.

The Minister said that more than four crore people across the State have benefited from the five guarantee schemes. He said that the Congress government has fulfilled the promises made in its election manifesto by successfully implementing all five guarantees, despite initial opposition and criticism.

“Today, the same guarantees are being announced in other States,” he said.

Detailing the impact of the schemes in Bidar district, Mr. Khandre said that 3,44,855 women have benefited under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, under which ₹2,000 per month is being directly credited to their bank accounts without intermediaries, amounting to ₹1,552 crore so far.

Under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, 3,48,617 beneficiaries are receiving up to 200 units of free electricity, for which ₹447 crore has been spent. He said that 13,13,355 people, accounting for about 80% of the district’s population, are covered under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

Under the Shakti scheme, more than 11 crore free bus journeys have been undertaken by women in the district, for which the government has paid ₹315 crore to the KSRTC, the Minister said.

He added that a total of about ₹2,500 crore has reached the district through the five guarantees, apart from ₹300 crore disbursed as crop compensation to farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority H.M. Revanna said that the State government has consistently implemented people-centric and pro-poor programmes.

He said that the five guarantees have paved the way for the uplift of the poor and empowerment of women, with ₹51,000 crore reaching people directly every year.

He also noted that women in the State have undertaken 621 crore free bus journeys, for a Guinness record, and said that the guarantees are improving living standards.

Vice-chairperson of the authority in the Mysuru division Pushpa Amarnath said that the guarantee schemes are strengthening the livelihoods of the poor, empowering women and contributing to the State’s overall development.

Resource person Vasu H.V. said that the five guarantees have increased people’s purchasing power and income levels. He said that the schemes are in line with the Directive Principles of State Policy and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and are aimed at achieving economic equality.

During the programme, the Minister visited an exhibition showcasing products linked to the five guarantee schemes organised by women’s self-help groups. He also distributed compensation cheques to people affected by wildlife-related incidents.