5 guarantees help 1.2 crore families come out of poverty, says Karnataka Governor in address to legislature

In his address to the joint session of the Karnataka legislature on February 12, the Governor said, “It is a global record that more than five crore people of the State will be promoted to middle class status by implementation of five guarantees — Shakti, Anna Bhagya, Griha Jyoti, Griha Lakshmi and Yuva Nidhi — by the State Government.”

Karnataka Governor Thawaarchand Gehlot said 1.2 crore families are coming above the poverty line and entering the middle class owing to implementation of ‘five guarantee schemes’ by the Congress government in the State.

In his address to the joint session of both the Houses of the State legislature on February 12, the Governor said, “It is a global record that more than five crore people of the State will be promoted to middle class status by implementation of five guarantees — Shakti, Anna Bhagya, Griha Jyoti, Griha Lakshmi and Yuva Nidhi — by the State Government.”

In the 24-page address, Mr Gehlot largely spelled out the government’s programmes, specifically guarantee schemes. “My Government has done what it has said, without compromising on the love, trust and hopes of the people. It has brought about a wind of change in the lives of seven crore people of the State, by launching a new era of happiness, peace and contentment.”

‘Shakti scheme, which provided free bus travel for women, benefited 3.5 crore women of Karnataka, including gender minorities and students irrespective of caste, religion. Women passengers have made more than 150 crore trips under the scheme’.

‘Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, five kg foodgrain and ₹34 per kg in lieu of additional five kg foodgrain have been given to eligible families under DBT’. “From July 2023 to January 2024, ₹4595 crore has been transferred to eligible beneficiaries,” the Governor said.

Mr Gehlot said, “Under the Gruha Jyoti scheme, free electricity has been provided to every household in the State subject to a maximum consumption limit of 200 units a month, and 1.50 crore consumers benefited.”

Under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, ₹17,500 crore has been allocated for providing ₹2,000 per month to the woman head of every eligible family. About 1.17 crore beneficiaries have been registered, and ₹11,037 crore has been released to beneficiaries till January 2024 through DBT.