Basavaraj Rayareddy, economic advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has sparked concerns over undeserving people getting benefits under the Congress guarantee schemes in the state. The remarks have brought the spotlight back on the Congress guarantees, over which the party has faced multiple attacks from the BJP since it came to power. The plan now is a review of the list of beneficiaries.
Mr Reddy had flagged his concerns at an internal meeting to review guarantees in his constituency - Yelaburga in Koppal. Instructions were laid out to stop guarantees to those who do not deserve it, like government employees, those paying income tax and similar people.
The plan is to ensure this is carried out across the state.
"I was reviewing the guarantees in my constituency. There were some undeserving people who received BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards," the minister told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
He said he has asked that the benefits be stopped for everyone who does not deserve it and this weeding will be carried out across Karnataka.
"I agree with what Basavaraj Rayareddy said. There are many who are availing schemes without being eligible. He said it in the right spirit, but this needs to be discussed and after a thorough inquiry we can look at implementing this," said the state's labour minister Santosh Lad.
Not everyone in the government agrees, though. Minister of Minor Irrigation,and Science & Technology, NS Boseraju, said it is the "personal opinion" of Mr Rayareddy. "As far as the government is concerned, we are committed to continuing with the guarantees," he added.
The five guarantees of Congress that helped them win the 2023 state polls became a matter of debate as the BJP clawed back in last year's Lok Sabha election. The Congress, though, won Telangana -- a victory that many attributed to its guarantee schemes.
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