20-05-2023 : Siddaramaiah, the newly elected Chief Minister of Karnataka, lost no time in putting his party’s promises into action, as the first Cabinet meeting approved directives for the fulfillment of five crucial guarantees. These guarantees, which were a part of the party’s pre-election platform, are intended to enhance the quality of life for Karnataka people.
The first guarantee is the distribution of 200 units of free energy, or Gruha Jyoti, to every home. With this effort, households will pay less for electricity while still having access to necessary power sources.
The lady head of every family will receive Rs 2,000 in monthly help under the second guarantee, Gruha Lakshmi. The goal of this financial assistance is to enhance women’s independence and economic empowerment.
Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, the government will provide 10 kg of free rice to every member of a below-poverty-line household. This initiative aims to tackle food insecurity and ensure that no family goes hungry due to financial constraints.
The Yuva Nidhi guarantee is aimed at addressing unemployment among graduates and diploma holders aged between 18 and 25. The government will provide Rs 3,000 per month to unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 per month to unemployed diploma holders for a period of two years. This financial support aims to enable young people to pursue their career aspirations and gain financial stability.
Lastly, the Uchita Prayana guarantee focuses on promoting women’s safety and accessibility. It promises free travel for women in public transport buses, ensuring safer and more affordable transportation options for women across the state.
During a press briefing after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized that the order for the implementation of these guarantees was issued promptly, and they will come into effect after the next cabinet meeting, which will be held within a week.
In addition to these policy announcements, Siddaramaiah also criticized the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, calling it useless and claiming that it failed to secure the state’s rightful share of taxes from the central government. He highlighted that the Centre owes Karnataka Rs 5,495 crores as recommended by the finance commission.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new Karnataka Cabinet was held in Bengaluru, where eight Congress MLAs, including prominent figures like Priyank Kharge, G Parameshwara, and MB Patil, took oath as ministers. The event was attended by top leaders of the Congress party, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states and several opposition leaders.
In the most recent Karnataka Assembly elections, the Congress won with 135 seats out of the assembly’s 224 members. The Janata Dal (Secular) gained 19 seats, and their victory resulted in the defeat of the BJP, who had been in power and had won 66 seats. The new administration’s prompt action in putting its commitments into effect demonstrates its dedication to keeping its word and working for the welfare of the country and its citizens.