Guarantee schemes to lift 1.2 crore families out of poverty in Karnataka: Governor

mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Feb 12, 2024: The implementation of the five guarantee schemes in Karnataka will lift 1.2 crore families out of poverty, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot said on Monday noting that the schemes have provided a ‘new boost to the economy’.

In his address to the joint session of both Houses of the Karnataka Assembly, Governor Gehlot also rued the lack of resources to implement more pro-people schemes.

 

“The huge number of applications for the (guarantee) programmes is proof of how much these were needed by the economically disadvantaged… More than 1.2 crore families are coming out of the poverty line and rising to middle-class status. It is a global record that more than five crore people of the State will be promoted to the middle-class status by this one decision,” Gehlot said.

He added that universal basic income is being implemented by the Government, due to which significant changes are being seen. “Despite drought in our State, farmer suicides are less than last year,” he said.

These guarantee schemes, the Karnataka Governor said, have provided a new boost to the economy. “Economic activities are picking up due to new accumulation of purchasing power among the people due to guarantee schemes. Tax collection is increasing. Up to the end of January, the rate of growth in the GST collection of our state stands first in the country. The studies commissioned by the Finance Department show positive impact and response from people about these schemes,” the Governor said in his address.

The stand-off between the Karnataka Congress government and the Centre over the devolution of funds also found an indirect reference in the Governor’s speech. “Karnataka ranks second among the states that collect the highest tax in the country. But, it is ranked tenth in terms of receipt of tax share,” Gehlot said, adding that the government was making “every effort to get due share in a rightful and justifiable manner.”

Courtesy: Indian Express