Karnataka women can travel up to 20 km for free in border states in buses under ‘Shakti’ scheme: Siddaramaiah

If women want to travel by inter-state bus, then the service is not free, the chief minister said adding, if a woman wishes to go to Tirupati, she cannot travel free of cost. She can go up to Mulbagal (Kolar district bordering Andhra Pradesh), and after that, it’s not available, he explained.

However, those travelling up to 20 km inside the neighbouring states would not be charged.

“For example, from Ballari to 20 km inside Andhra Pradesh, they (women) can go free of cost,” Siddaramaiah said.

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Other schemes

Explaining the launch of four other guarantees, the chief minister said “Gruha Jyoti” offering 200 free units of electricity to domestic consumers will be launched from Kalaburagi from 1 July.

On the same day, the “Anna Bhagya” scheme offering 10 kg free rice or food grain to the BPL families will be launched from Mysuru.

Regarding the “Gruha Lakshmi” scheme (Providing monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 to the head woman of a house), the Chief Minister said it will be launched on 16 August from the district headquarter town of Belagavi.

“We will call for applications for the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme from 15 July, which will be processed till 15 August. After that, we will launch it from 16 August, most likely in Belagavi,” he said.

About the “Yuva Nidhi” scheme offering unemployment allowance of ₹3,000 to the graduates and ₹1,500 to the diploma holders, Siddaramaiah said those graduates and diploma holders who passed the exams in 2022-23, will get the allowance for 24 months if they do not get a job within six months of passing their exam.

“We will give them an allowance for 24 months. They have to find a job within the time. If they get a job either in government or private sector, then the allowance will be stopped,” the chief minister clarified.

When asked how the government will ascertain that the beneficiary has got the job, he said, “Do you think the government will not know? We will gather all the information. We will take action against those making false declarations.”

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Financial health of the state

To a question on the financial health of the state to implement these schemes, Siddaramaiah counterposed the reporter, “Why do you bother about government’s headache? We will definitely do it.”

About the BJP’s allegation that the state’s treasury will be empty to fulfil these guarantees, the chief minister charged that the BJP did not do anything when in power and now it was simply issuing statements.

“Did they (BJP) do anything? I am the finance minister. Who are they (BJP) to say?” he said.

Electricity bill hike

Regarding people complaining that they were getting hefty electricity bills, Siddaramaiah clarified that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission revises the electricity tariff in March or April every year and implements it in June.

This year too, it was hiked even before the Congress came to power. Due to the model code of conduct for the 2023 assembly elections, which came into effect on 29 March, the revision of the power tariff was put on hold. Now it will be implemented in June.

Replying to a query on the “Gruha Jyoti” scheme, Siddaramaiah said it was not mandatory to avail of free electricity as some people may opt for it and others give it up.

“If you say that you don’t want it, then why should I insist on it?” he explained.

According to Siddaramaiah, electricity is free up to 200 units, but everyone does not use 200 units of power because the average domestic electricity consumption in the state is 53 units only.

“Some may spend 65 units, 70 units or 80 units. Whatever average power you consume, we will give 10 per cent extra unit. People are saying 200 units of free power is being given. But your consumption is 80 units. Why will you take 200 units? If we give 200 units free, then people will misuse it. So, it should not happen,” the chief minister pointed out.

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