Congress Ministers Push for Economic Focus in Guarantee Schemes

Two Congress Ministers are advocating for the party's guarantee schemes to be targeted towards economically weaker sections to alleviate financial pressure. The schemes, which were key to the Congress's Assembly election victory, have not similarly benefited the party in recent Lok Sabha elections. Discussions are ongoing to potentially revise the schemes.

Congress Ministers in Karnataka have voiced the need to recalibrate their much-heralded 'guarantee schemes' to support only the economically weaker sections. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi highlighted that excluding the rich could save the state exchequer around Rs 10,000 crore annually.

Political analysts suggest that these schemes were instrumental in Congress's Assembly win last year but failed to produce similar results in recent Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has allocated Rs 52,000 crore for these schemes in the coming fiscal year; however, there is growing discussion about their financial sustainability and targeting.

Ministers are not advocating scrapping the schemes but are suggesting a focus on Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Despite backlash and differing opinions within the party, they remain committed to the initial promises. The opposition argues that the Congress-led government is struggling to fund these freebies, hinting at possible reductions or elimination of the guarantees.

(With inputs from agencies.)