Bhatkal: Senior Congress leader, veteran legislator, and former minister R.V. Deshpande has said that if he were the chief minister of Karnataka, he would not have implemented the five guarantee schemes introduced by the Siddaramaiah-led government, arguing that the initiatives have placed a financial burden on the state and affected its development pace.
Speaking at an event in Dandeli, Uttara Kannada, on Sunday, the eight-time MLA from Haliyal expressed concern over the government’s welfare programmes, claiming that while they may have benefited women, they have also created imbalance and fiscal pressure.
“The five guarantees have brought a financial burden on the state. They are beneficial to people on one hand, but it has become difficult for the government to manage its affairs. When women are receiving all benefits, there is no scheme for men,” Deshpande remarked.
Referring to the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides ₹2,000 per month to women heads of households, and the Gruha Jyothi scheme, offering 200 units of free electricity, he said, “God knows who advised Siddaramaiah. If I were the chief minister, I would not have implemented it.”
Commenting on the Shakti scheme that allows women free travel in state-run non-luxury buses, the 78-year-old leader quipped, “Buses have effectively become women-only. If men try to board, they hardly find space. Women are traveling everywhere—to Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, and Yellamma temple. These are now all-women’s buses.”
He further pointed to the Anna Bhagya scheme, which distributes 10 kg of free rice per person per month to BPL families, and noted that the government plans to distribute an “Indira Kit” containing tur dal, dry coconut, and cooking oil. “Even we don’t know what more he is going to give. I don’t know what magic Siddaramaiah is doing. I am unable to understand,” he said.
Deshpande, who also chairs the Administrative Reforms Commission, added that several committees had to be formed to manage and implement the guarantees effectively, which in turn slowed down the state’s development work.
However, later in the day, Deshpande clarified his remarks, asserting that his words were “misinterpreted.”
“I did not oppose the guarantee schemes. I appreciate Siddaramaiah’s pro-people stand. My intention was only to say that implementing such schemes requires careful financial planning. Siddaramaiah is a true leader fighting for the poor, and giving good administration by announcing guarantees is his strength,” he explained.
The Siddaramaiah government announced the implementation of the five pre-poll guarantees on May 20, 2023. These include Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, and Shakti, with a total estimated expenditure of ₹51,034 crore in the current fiscal.
While the schemes have drawn praise from beneficiaries, they have also sparked criticism from opposition parties and even concern among a few Congress legislators, who argue that the welfare promises have constrained state finances and slowed infrastructure development.