Guarantee schemes aimed at improving economic condition of the poor and the lower middle class, says Minister

Belagavi Public Works Minister emphasizes the importance of utilizing the benefits of guarantee schemes for economic improvement.

“The five guarantee schemes are aimed at improving the economic conditions of the poor and lower middle classes. The targeted families should utilise the benefits judiciously,” Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said.

He was addressing a rally of beneficiaries of the schemes at the Government Sardars High School Grounds in Belagavi on Monday.

“Each scheme saves some money for each family. I only advise the beneficiaries to utilise the benefits on the education of children or making small savings and in other positive ways,” he said. He also asked the beneficiaries to speak about these schemes to others.

He said that the State government is organising conferences of the guarantee scheme beneficiaries in the district and taluk levels to spread awareness. The State government is spending over ₹60,000 crore every year, towards the welfare of the poor.

This does not mean infrastructure projects like roads, schools and hospitals have stopped. However, they will get a boost in the coming years. The Public Works Department has taken repair of roads and laying of new roads in the State, he said. The State government is also focusing on projects like filling lakes with river water, building multi-speciality hospitals and others, he said.

He criticised the BJP for “creating trouble across the State in the name of hoisting saffron flags”.

“The youth should desist from such activities. Those leaders who are handing over flags to young people are sending their own children to higher studies in Europe and the U.S. They want the poor youth to work for the party so that they win and enjoy power,” he said.