5 guarantees in Karnataka: As promised, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Friday that all five guarantees will be implemented in the current financial year at a cost of approximately Rs 50,000 crore every year. The Congress, which stormed into power by winning 135 out of 224 seats, had promised to implement these schemes if it formed a government in Karnataka.
CM while announcing the schemes said, "Implementation (of guaranteeing about 200 units of free electricity) will begin from 1st July. 200 units of electricity will be free. Consumers who haven't paid their bills till July will have to pay."
What are the five guarantees
- 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti),
- Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi),
- 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya),
- Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth
- Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).
Conditions apply
According to some Congress leaders, there will be some conditions attached to these schemes. The Gruha Lakshmi promising Rs 2,000 to the women head of the families is meant for those who are Below Poverty Line. Even the Anna Bhagya scheme providing 10 kg foodgrains is for BPL families. Even Gruha Jyothi scheme offering 200 units of free power will be for the economically weaker sections, they said. Regarding Shakti scheme, Congress leaders said there will be no conditions attached but it will specify in which buses women can travel free of cost.
