The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has recently highlighted a significant upsurge in the state’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, attributing this growth to the effective implementation of the Congress-led government’s guarantee schemes. At a convention held in Chamarajanagar for beneficiaries of these schemes, Siddaramaiah announced an 18% increase in GST collections, positioning Karnataka at the forefront of GST revenue generation across the country.
The Chief Minister elaborated on the positive economic impact of the state’s guarantee schemes, such as the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women, leading to increased savings among beneficiaries. He cited a letter of appreciation from Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, who noted a surge in temple visits and consequent income boosts, ostensibly tied to the financial relief these schemes provide to the populace.
With an expenditure of approximately ₹36,000 crore on five key guarantee schemes — Shakti, Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, and Yuva Nidhi — Siddaramaiah claimed each participating family benefits from an additional monthly income of ₹4,000 to ₹5,000. This financial infusion, according to the Chief Minister, stimulates economic activities by enhancing the purchasing power of citizens, thereby escalating government tax collections.
Detailing the scope of these initiatives, Siddaramaiah stated that around 1.2 crore families, equating to nearly 4.6 crore individuals, are currently availing the advantages offered by these schemes. With a budget allocation of ₹57,000 crore earmarked for the upcoming year, the state plans to further expand its commitment to these welfare programs, alongside a significant investment of ₹68,000 crore in developmental activities for the 2024-25 period.
Contrary to the opposition’s critique forecasting fiscal instability as a result of these expansive guarantee schemes, Siddaramaiah confidently refuted such claims, affirming the state’s financial health and developmental trajectory.
Amidst this economic discourse, the Chief Minister also touched upon political narratives, cautioning against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) constitutional amendment ambitions and advocating for support towards the Congress, a party he asserts stands firmly by the constitutional principles. His remarks came as a reassurance of the government’s dedication to both economic development and democratic values in the face of political adversities.
