Karnataka’s 5 Guarantee Schemes: A Look at Spending and Impact
Karnataka’s ambitious five guarantee schemes—Gruhalakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyothi, Shakti, and Yuvanidhi—have been pivotal in shaping the state’s welfare agenda since the Congress government came to power in 2023. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing the Legislative Assembly, revealed that the government has spent a whopping ₹63,382 crore on these schemes by November 2023. Here’s a breakdown of the schemes, their financial allocations, and their impact so far.
The Five Guarantee Schemes
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Gruhalakshmi
- What it Offers: Financial assistance of ₹2,000 per month to women heads of households.
- Launched: August 30, 2023.
- Spending: ₹32,817 crore (₹13,452 crore spent in the current financial year till October 2023).
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Anna Bhagya
- What it Offers: Direct benefit transfer of funds to ensure food security.
- Launched: July 1, 2023.
- Spending: ₹8,913 crore (₹2,583 crore spent till October 2023).
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Gruha Jyothi
- What it Offers: Free electricity to households in the state.
- Launched: July 1, 2023.
- Spending: ₹14,869 crore (₹5,165 crore spent till October 2023).
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Shakti
- What it Offers: Free bus services for women across Karnataka.
- Launched: June 11, 2023.
- Spending: ₹6,543 crore (₹2,925 crore spent till October 2023).
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Yuvanidhi
- What it Offers: Unemployment assistance of ₹3,000 per month for degree holders and ₹1,500 per month for diploma holders in Karnataka.
- Launched: December 1, 2023.
- Spending: ₹221.3 crore (₹110 crore spent till October 2023).
Budget and Future Projections
For the upcoming fiscal year (2024-25), the Karnataka government has earmarked ₹52,009 crore for these welfare schemes. CM Siddaramaiah noted that spending and beneficiary estimates for the next four years would depend on evolving requirements and the number of beneficiaries.
Impact of the Yuvanidhi Scheme
The Yuvanidhi scheme, launched in December 2023, has already shown promising results. According to Minister Sharanprakash Patil, about 1.4 lakh graduates—26% of eligible candidates—have benefited from the scheme. It provides crucial financial support to unemployed youth, empowering them to transition into the workforce.
A Welfare-Driven Agenda
In the first seven months of its implementation, the Karnataka government has spent ₹24,235 crore on these schemes during the ongoing financial year. This includes significant allocations for Gruhalakshmi (₹13,452 crore), Gruha Jyothi (₹5,165 crore), Shakti (₹2,925 crore), Anna Bhagya (₹2,583 crore), and Yuvanidhi (₹110 crore).
These schemes reflect the government’s commitment to addressing critical issues such as women’s empowerment, unemployment, food security, and affordable access to basic utilities. While the financial outlay is substantial, the schemes aim to create long-term socioeconomic benefits for the people of Karnataka.
As the state moves forward, it will be interesting to see how these schemes evolve and how they continue to impact the lives of beneficiaries across Karnataka. Stay tuned for updates on this welfare revolution!