Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday defended the Congress government’s welfare programs and said the administration had fulfilled the promises it made to voters ahead of the Assembly elections, even as speculation about a possible leadership transition within the ruling party continued to cast a shadow over Karnataka politics.
The Congress high command did not announce any decision on changing the chief minister, and the issue remained politically sensitive within the state unit. It is against this backdrop that Siddaramaiah presented the implementation of the five safeguard schemes framed by the government as the administration’s signature achievement.
The Prime Minister said that the government remained faithful to all the electoral guarantees provided before the assembly elections. “We are proud that we have acted exactly as we promised before the elections. We have remained committed to all the assurances provided to the people of Karnataka and have successfully implemented all the five assurance schemes, taking them to every household,” he said.
Siddaramaiah devoted great attention to the Anna Bhagya programme, saying it was introduced to ensure that no family goes hungry. “The Anna Bhagya Scheme has become the foundation for a healthier society by ensuring food security for millions of families,” he said.
According to figures released by the Prime Minister, the government spent $18,897 crore on free food grain distribution under the scheme. He said 4.26 crore ration beneficiaries are receiving support through the programme. “As many as 4.26 crore ration beneficiaries are now able to eat in peace three times a day due to this programme,” Siddaramaiah said.
The Prime Minister also referred to the Gruha Jyothi initiative, which provides up to 200 units of free electricity every month to eligible households. He added: “Today the scheme lights up every home in the state.”
Siddaramaiah said 1.64 crore families have benefited from the electricity program and the government has spent $26,115 crore on its implementation so far.
Regarding the Yuva Nidhi programme, Siddaramaiah said that the program aims to financially support unemployed youth. “Through the Yuva Nidhi scheme, we have provided economic support to young hands bearing hopes for the future,” he said.
The government has provided monthly unemployment assistance to 3.38 lakh eligible beneficiaries under the programme, with the expenditure arriving $Rs 950 crore according to Siddaramaiah.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister attended a memorial function for former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Vidhana Soudha on Nehru’s death anniversary. “Nehru served the country for 17 years as the first prime minister after independence,” Siddaramaiah said.
“He placed a strong emphasis on socialism and mixed economy, and played a major role in promoting scientific thinking through large dam projects, education and the cooperative sector,” he added.
The Prime Minister also referred to Nehru’s role in introducing the Five Year Plans as part of a systematic approach to national development. “It has been 62 years since his death. On this occasion, we remember Nehru and make a sincere effort to follow the path he showed. His ideals will always remain before us,” he said.
