Last Update: May 31, 2023, 15:10 IST
Priyank Kharge said that criteria have to be fixed for implementing the guarantee, as it involves taxpayers’ money. (File photo/ANI)
“Every scheme is based on a parameter, it is your (public’s) money, taxpayers’ money is involved. We have to have the parameter. Tell me which central-Modi government scheme is free?” Kharge asked
As pressure mounts on the Congress government in Karnataka to implement the five ‘guarantees’ promised to the people ahead of the assembly polls, state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the criteria for its implementation And the framework is being decided.
Norms have to be fixed for implementing the guarantee as it involves taxpayers’ money, he added.
In view of the implementation of the five guarantee schemes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is holding a meeting with all his cabinet ministers and senior officials of the concerned departments today at Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and seat of the legislature, in Bengaluru.
A decision on invoking the guarantee is likely to be taken at the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
“Every scheme is based on one parameter, it is your (public) money, taxpayers money is involved. We have to have standards. Tell me which scheme of the Centre- Modi government is free?” Kharge asked.
Talking to reporters here, he said, ‘There will be some norms and we will ensure that everyone is benefited. Is it wrong to give priority to BPL (below poverty line), the government is for the poor. To worry,” he said.
The Congress had promised to implement ‘guarantees’ – 200 units of free electricity to all households (Griha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the female head of every household (Griha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to each member of a BPL family (Griha Lakshmi). Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 per month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the 18-25 age group) (Yuvanidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti), in the state on the first day of assuming office.
The new government is under increasing pressure from opposition parties and various sections of people across the state to fulfill its five pre-poll promises.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) have accused the Congress of trying to “cheat” the electorate after coming to power, by trying to attach conditions or criteria to guarantee their implementation, which would have resulted from the election. Wasn’t mentioned before.
Asked how the government will raise resources, the minister said, “We will do it. Firstly – it is because of the central government and double engine (BJP both at the center and state) government – our financial condition has worsened.
“Our GST share hasn’t come, there was financial mismanagement during COVID-19, because of this Kannada people are in debt today, I raised this issue several times in the assembly,” he said, adding that now that our government has come to power, it is a priority. To give financial stability to the state and its people.
After giving in-principle approval for the guarantees at the first cabinet meeting on 20 May, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said they would be implemented “most likely” after the next cabinet meeting. 50,000 crores annually on the exchequer.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,