Former Karnataka Chief Minister dismisses rumours of discontinuation, says welfare guarantees will remain in force and continue beyond the next election
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reaffirmed that the Congress government's five guarantee schemes will not be discontinued under any circumstances. Rejecting Opposition claims, he said the welfare programmes have strengthened social security without harming Karnataka's economy and will continue even beyond the current government's tenure.
Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly defended the state's flagship guarantee schemes, asserting that the welfare programmes will continue uninterrupted and accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation regarding their future.
Addressing concerns over the continuation of the Congress government's welfare initiatives, Siddaramaiah said beneficiaries should not be influenced by what he described as false propaganda from the Opposition. He maintained that the government remains committed to improving the implementation of the schemes while ensuring that benefits reach deserving citizens.
"The five guarantee schemes will not be stopped under any circumstances. They will continue not only for the next two years but even beyond that when we return to power again."
Siddaramaiah Reaffirms Commitment to Guarantee Schemes
The senior Congress leader stated that the government has been continuously reviewing the implementation of the five guarantee schemes and addressing shortcomings identified during their rollout.
According to Siddaramaiah, corrective measures have been undertaken since the schemes were introduced, and efforts to improve efficiency and transparency remain ongoing.
He emphasised that eligible beneficiaries need not worry about the future of the programmes, reiterating that the government has no plans to withdraw or dilute them.
BJP Criticism Over Karnataka Welfare Schemes
Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Siddaramaiah alleged that the party opposed the guarantee schemes from the very beginning.
He claimed that BJP leaders initially argued that the programmes were impossible to implement and later predicted that Karnataka's finances would collapse due to the expenditure involved.
According to him, the latest claims that the schemes could be discontinued are politically motivated.
"First they said the schemes could not be implemented. Then they claimed the government would run out of funds. Now they are spreading rumours that the schemes will be stopped."
Karnataka Economy Remains Strong, Says Siddaramaiah
Responding to criticism regarding the financial burden of welfare programmes, Siddaramaiah argued that Karnataka's economic indicators demonstrate that the guarantee schemes have not weakened the state's finances.
He pointed to Karnataka's performance in key economic metrics, stating that the state currently ranks among the country's leading economies in terms of per capita income and GST collection.
The former Chief Minister said these achievements would not have been possible if the state's treasury had been under financial strain as alleged by the Opposition.
"If the government were bankrupt and the treasury empty, Karnataka would not have achieved such economic milestones."
Congress Leader Accuses BJP of Adopting Similar Welfare Models
Siddaramaiah also accused the BJP of adopting welfare-based electoral strategies similar to Karnataka's guarantee model in several states.
According to him, states governed by or contested by the BJP have announced welfare promises resembling the Congress government's guarantee programmes.
He questioned the BJP's opposition to Karnataka's guarantees while allegedly embracing similar approaches elsewhere.
The Congress veteran further claimed that some of those promises had not been fully implemented despite being used during election campaigns.
Government Focused on Eligible Beneficiaries
While defending the schemes, Siddaramaiah stressed the importance of ensuring that benefits are received only by genuinely eligible beneficiaries.
He said preventing misuse of welfare programmes is the responsibility of any elected government and added that public cooperation is essential for maintaining the integrity of such initiatives.
According to him, individuals who obtain benefits through false claims not only violate legal provisions but also deprive deserving citizens of government assistance.
"These schemes must reach the truly eligible beneficiaries. Preventing misuse is the responsibility of both the government and society."
Appeal for Constructive Opposition
Siddaramaiah urged Opposition parties to support efforts aimed at improving the delivery of welfare schemes rather than spreading what he described as baseless allegations.
He said political parties should work together to ensure that public welfare programmes reach intended beneficiaries efficiently and transparently.
