Karnataka Minister Proposes Limiting Guarantee Schemes For Economically Weaker Sections, Sparks Debate

Jarkiholi, who serves as the Public Works Minister, clarified that his suggestion was not to discontinue the guarantee schemes of Congress but to target them more effectively.

Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi has ignited a debate by suggesting that the state’s ambitious guarantee schemes should be reviewed to ensure they benefit only the economically weaker sections, excluding the wealthy. The minister argued that such a move could save the state exchequer at least Rs 10,000 crore annually.

The Congress government in Karnataka, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had allocated Rs 52,000 crore in the state budget for the implementation of five major guarantee schemes during 2024-25. These schemes, which were key pre-poll promises, include: Shakti Scheme, providing free bus rides for women in non-luxury government buses, Gruha Jyoti, offering up to 200 units of free electricity for domestic consumers, Yuva Nidhi, Providing monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 to diploma holders for two years, Gruha Lakshmi, granting Rs 2,000 to women heads of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and Anna Bhagya, Distributing 10 kg of free food grains to each BPL family member.

Jarkiholi, who serves as the Public Works Minister, clarified that his suggestion was not to discontinue the schemes but to target them more effectively. "People are saying that these guarantees should be given to the poor and not the rich. This is being discussed in hotels, among workers, and everywhere," he said, echoing concerns from various quarters, including the opposition.

He emphasized that any decision to revise the schemes would require approval from the Cabinet and the legislative party, indicating that it is not within his power to make such changes unilaterally. “Who is scrapping them (guarantees)? We are not stopping it. It cannot be done outright. There is a Cabinet and legislative party. These decisions have to be taken at that level, not at my level. Party has to decide,” Jarkiholi said, as per a report on PTI.

Jarkiholi’s remarks have fueled speculation about the sustainability of these schemes, especially given their significant financial implications.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure M B Patil reaffirmed the Congress party's commitment to these guarantees, stating that they will continue as promised.

The opposition, led by BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, seized on Jarkiholi’s comments to criticize the Congress government. 

Vijayendra suggested that the government is struggling to bear the financial burden of these "freebies" and hinted that the schemes might be curtailed or discontinued. Ashoka added that the schemes were "bound to meet such a fate" due to inadequate financial planning.