BENGALURU: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday said the money that has reached the hands of the people through the state government’s five guarantee schemes has given a new boost to the economy.
Addressing the joint session of the state legislature, he said domestic and foreign investment is flowing into the state in a big way and in the last eight months, the total investment has reached over Rs 77,000 crore. “Economic activities are picking up due to the new accumulation of purchasing power among the people due to guarantee schemes,” he said.
The government’s guarantee schemes have provided solace to the people suffering from growing economic inequality, he said, and added that a large number of applications for programmes is proof of how much these programmes were needed by the economically disadvantaged.
He said the government has successfully implemented all five guarantee schemes -- Shakthi, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Yuva Nidhi and Anna Bhagya. “Due to the implementation of guarantee schemes, more than 1.2 crore families are coming out of the poverty line and rising to middle-class status. It is a global record that more than five crore people of the state will be promoted to middle class status by one decision,” he said.
He also pointed out that tax collection is increasing and till January-end this year, Karnataka stands first in the country in the rate of growth in GST collection. “This is because a new era of development has begun over the last eight months,” he said. Stressing that guarantee schemes launched by the state government are a model for the country, he said, “Other governments are competing to adopt these schemes.”
‘Funds needed for Gruha Jyothi’
Experts and citizens opposed the proposed tariff hike, saying the revision done for fuel adjustment charges itself was high. But energy department and Bescom officials defended it, saying funds are needed for their projects and also to implement the government’s Gruha Jyothi scheme, where 200 units are supplied free to consumers.
“While many are happy with zero bills, those who are paying are crying foul over increasing tariffs. The government is punishing those who pay for the benefit of its voters. Bescom has quoted the lowest. That is because the government is well aware that consumers in Bescom limits play a crucial role in voting,” said
experts who work closely with the Karnataka government.
Defending the exercise, department sources said it is is a regular, annual affair. “Bescom and almost all other Escoms have not sought higher revision towards fuel adjustment charges as is done over the year and that has helped in adjusting the costs. But the government still needs money for its functioning and for implementing the Gruha Jyothi scheme. That is why a uniform hike has been sought, irrespective of the slabs and the units consumed,” they added.