Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the distribution of 10 kg free rice for below the poverty line (BPL) and Antyodaya card holders under the Anna Bhagya scheme was likely to be launched in Mysuru district on July 1. The government has announced that the Gruha Jyothi scheme, to provide up to 200 units of free power, will be launched in Kalaburagi and the Griha Lakshmi scheme, to provide incentive to women, in Belagavi.
He was speaking to reporters at Suttur helipad, near here, on his maiden visit to his home district after becoming the Chief Minister for the second time.
Addressing a gathering at Suttur later, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State government would incur an expenditure of ₹59,000 crore a year to implement the five guarantee schemes announced by the Congress. He said the government would have to set aside ₹41,000 crore this year as two to three months of the financial year had already passed.
Whatever may be its financial implication, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, the government would implement all the five guarantee schemes announced by the party.
He said the BJP had not responded favourably to its guarantee schemes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi even warning that the State would become bankrupt if the promises were implemented.
While referring to Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the government would give the women head of the 1.28 crore families ₹2,000 every month. He said beneficiaries of old age pension, physically challenged or widow pension were also eligible for the scheme.
The applications for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme have to be submitted between June 15 and July 15. The applications will be processed till August 15 and the government would start crediting the amount from August 16.
