From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 2: Ending the uncertainty over the implementation of the 5 pre-poll Congress Guarantees, especially the doubts expressed by the opposition BJP and JD(S) leaders, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar along with other Cabinet ministers, announced the roll out of all the 5 Guarantees.
Addressing a jam packed press conference after holding a meeting with senior officials followed by the Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah said: "We have given the 5 Guarantees and they will be implemented.’’ However, there are some riders on the eligibility of the Guarantees.
The Gruhajyoti, which promised 200 units free power for all domestic users, will be made available to the people from their electricity consumption bills from July 1. The 200 units of free power will be calculated on the monthly average for the full year plus 10% extra. The free power guarantee is for all the domestic consumers, who may include even tenants living in rented houses, if they get the bills.
Gruhalakshmi, however, will be rolled out from August 15. All women heads of families, who submit applications with their Bank Account and Aadhaar cards details from June 15 to July 15, which will be processed by the officials by August 15. The launch of the benefit of paying Rs 2000 per month to the female head of the family - be it mother in law or daughter in law – are eligible. Even the women getting social security benefits in the form of old age pensions, widow pensions, physically challenged persons etc will get the Rs 2,000 per month.
The Anna Bhagya scheme for distributing 10 kg of foodgrains per month per person will be available from July 1. It is available to all BPL and Antyodaya card holders.
The Shakti guarantee of free travel in all government buses, including KSRTC and those from other state transport corporations and even city buses, is provided to all women above 18 years. The guarantee is not available to travel in AC and other luxury buses for travel within the state for any number of times. It is available only to women and students from Karnataka. It will be rolled from July 11.
"This guarantee will benefit 94% of the women travellers,’’ Siddaramaiah said. In this Shakti guarantee, 50% of the seats in the buses will be reserved for men. If there are empty seats, they will be available to women. "The reservation of the seats in the buses is ensure that men, who will be making the payments, will get some benefits,’’ the chief minister said.
The Yuvanidhi scheme of providing unemployment allowance of Rs 3000 each per month for all graduates, including those who have passed engineering, medical and even post-graduate courses, from the financial year 2022-23. The diploma holders are eligible for Rs 1,500 per month. The allowance is provided for 24 months after registeration and till they get the jobs. All graduates or diploma holders, who passed this year, and if they remain unemployed are eligible for the benefit.
Siddaramaiah, who had earlier esgtimated that the entire cost of the 5 guarantees will be around Rs 50,000 crore, explained that he will provide all the details when the assembly meets in July.
"Ours is government that keeps its promises,’’ he said.