The Congress government in Karnataka, which rode to power on the back of its ambitious “five guarantee schemes,” is now facing mounting criticism and allegations of negligence, mismanagement, and blatant favouritism.
Despite repeated complaints from citizens about delays, irregularities, and lack of transparency in the delivery of welfare benefits, the state government has released Rs 7.65 crore as honorarium to Congress party workers appointed to Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committees — a move that has sparked widespread outrage.
While beneficiaries continue to reel under bureaucratic delays and patchy implementation of the guarantees, the government’s decision to prioritise payments to its party functionaries has been condemned as a betrayal of public trust.
Delayed benefits, disgruntled citizens
The Gruhalakshmi scheme, which promises Rs 2,000 monthly support to women heads of households, is plagued by irregularities. Beneficiaries across the state have complained that the promised amount has not been deposited consistently. The delay has triggered anger and disappointment among women who were banking on the monthly assistance to support their families.
In a remark that added fuel to the fire, Minister Satish Jarkiholi shrugged off concerns by stating, “If the Gruhalakshmi money is not given every month, the sky will not fall.” He further said that delays in government disbursements were normal and that citizens should not “raise questions about minor delays.”
The statement, seen as insensitive and dismissive, has gone viral and drawn sharp rebukes from the public and opposition parties alike. Adding to the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier admitted that monthly deposits could not be guaranteed, saying that fund disbursement depended on tax collections.
Scheme after scheme under scrutiny
Each of the five guarantees now appears to be stumbling:
- The Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women, has left the transport department financially strained, leading to increased ticket prices for other commuters.
- The Yuvanidhi scheme, aimed at providing financial support to unemployed graduates, remains shrouded in ambiguity, with little clarity on its implementation.
- The Annabhagya scheme, intended to provide free food grains, has also received backlash for distribution delays and supply mismatches.
- The Gruhajyoti scheme, offering free electricity, has not had its usage average revised for the second year, causing confusion among beneficiaries.
Despite this litany of issues, the government has proceeded to release Rs 7.65 crore for the benefit of party workers involved in the Guarantee Scheme Committees — even before many of these schemes have stabilised operationally.
Congress workers are rewarded, while data operators are unpaid
The finance department issued orders to disburse advance payments to the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and members of the committees from April to August. While the government insists the funds must be used only for designated purposes, opposition parties have pointed out that the timing and motive behind the disbursal are suspect.
Adding to the public’s fury is the fact that data entry operators working in government hospitals under these schemes have reportedly not been paid for four months. Their absence due to unpaid wages has disrupted hospital services, directly impacting patients and healthcare delivery.
“This is the tragedy of Karnataka,” a BJP spokesperson said. “Congress workers are being paid in advance while public employees and contract workers continue without wages. This shows where the Congress’ priorities lie — not with the people, but with their cadre.”
Mounting pressure on Congress leadership
BJP has slammed the Congress government for failing to fulfil its promises while engaging in political appeasement. Allegations are also being raised about whether the Guarantee Implementation Committees were formed as genuine administrative bodies or simply as a means to funnel state funds to Congress workers under the guise of governance.
With both DK Shivakumar and Satish Jarkiholi making controversial statements and scheme beneficiaries expressing open dissatisfaction, the guarantee schemes — once hailed as Congress’ electoral masterstroke — have now become a political liability.
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