CM Siddaramaiah claims 5 guarantee schemes are providing financial assistance of at least ₹4,000 per month to each family in Karnataka

Among the flagship initiatives, the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides ₹2,000 per month to women heads of households, was praised for its contribution to the financial security of thousands of families, according to the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the State Government’s guarantee schemes have been benefiting lakhs of people in Karnataka, providing financial assistance of at least ₹4,000 per month to each family, thereby strengthening their financial stability.

Speaking at the launch of 100 new BS-6 diesel buses, part of a larger fleet of 840 buses for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Mr Siddaramaiah emphasised the positive impact of the government’s five guarantee schemes, including the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women on State-run buses.

“For the benefit of working-class people, five guarantee schemes, including the Shakti scheme, have been implemented and are continuing successfully. These schemes will continue as long as our government exists,” said Mr Siddaramaiah during the event held at the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha.

Among the flagship initiatives, the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides ₹2,000 per month to women heads of households, was praised for its contribution to the financial security of thousands of families, according to the Chief Minister. “Every day, the media shows how thousands of families are benefitting from the Gruha Lakshmi scheme,” he said.

Targeting the opposition, Mr Siddaramaiah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of opposing these pro-people schemes. “BJP, which is anti-poor and anti-middle class, is campaigning against these guarantee schemes. Do not listen to this propaganda,” he said.

Mr Siddaramaiah also claimed to be facing challenges from the Central Government regarding the distribution of rice to the poor. “When we went ahead with the scheme of giving rice to the poor, the Central Government gave us trouble by not providing rice. But instead of rice, we gave money to the people,” he added.

At the bus launch, Mr Siddaramaiah underscored the need for more public transportation as Bengaluru’s population continues to rise. “We are adding new buses to BMTC to accommodate the growing working-class population in the city. We have also reopened Indira Canteens, which were closed by the previous government, and plan to start more to support the working class,” he said.