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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Guarantee schemes hailed as a boon to women, youth
The State government's guarantee schemes are playing a transformative role in empowering women and youth, said vice-president of the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority S.R. Mehroz Khan. Speaking at an event to interact with beneficiaries of Yuva Nidhi scheme at Mahatma Gandhi Auditorium in Gulbarga University on Wednesday, Mr. Khan highlighted the impact of the scheme on youth employment. 'Due to the implementation of Yuva Nidhi, the unemployment rate in the State has dropped to 2.25% from 4.8%,' he said. He added that these welfare schemes, which cost the government around ₹52,000 crore annually, are unparalleled globally. 'International studies have affirmed that such comprehensive welfare models are rare. These schemes have helped secure the lives of millions of people in Karnataka,' he noted. Mr. Khan also pointed out that the Shakti scheme has not only supported women's professional journeys but also helped them lead independent lives. As a result of the Shakti and Gruha Lakshmi schemes, women's entrepreneurship in the State has risen to 12%. Similarly, the Anna Bhagya scheme has alleviated hunger, while free electricity under Gruha Jyothi has further lightened the financial burden on households, he said. 'There are often allegations of corruption in other welfare schemes but the guarantee schemes have been implemented transparently without any misappropriation. Credit for this goes to the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,' Mr. Khan said. He urged beneficiaries facing technical issues with Yuva Nidhi disbursements to call the toll-free helpline 1800-599-7154 for resolution. He also encouraged youth to take the lead in spreading awareness about these schemes in their communities. Several beneficiaries shared their experiences during the interaction. 'For the past 11 months, I've been receiving financial support through Yuva Nidhi. It has helped me buy books and attend training to secure employment,' said Shivalingayya. 'Coming from a farming family with limited financial means, the Yuva Nidhi scheme has helped me and my brother undergo job training in Dharwad. Gruha Lakshmi funds are also being received and free electricity under Gruha Jyothi has brightened our home,' said Vijayalakshmi, a postgraduate student. Nabi, another student, called for gender-inclusive access to the benefits of the Shakti scheme for both male and female students. 'Thanks to the Shakti scheme, I have been able to travel and visit places I never imagined. This free travel is enabling parents to consider higher education for their daughters,' said Pooja, a chemistry student. Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena urged students to actively participate in extracurricular activities and discussions alongside their studies. 'Success in life is possible through hard work. Make full use of the university campus and library facilities. Yuva Nidhi must be used wisely,' he said. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority chairperson Chandrika Parameshwari, vice-chairperson Somashekhara Hiremath, Chief Planning Officer S.S. Mathapati, Project Director Jagadeva, Assistant Director of the District Employment Exchange Bharathi, Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department Bheemaraya and Gulbarga University Registrar Ramesh Landankar.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Ensure effective implementation of guarantee schemes that draw national, international attention: Mehroz Khan
Saying that the State government's five guarantee schemes are being lauded nationally and internationally, S.R. Mehroz Khan, vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Guarantees' Implementation Authority, urged officials to ensure that the schemes are effectively implemented. Chairing a review meeting on the progress of the schemes in Bidar on Tuesday, he highlighted the importance of efficient execution to maintain the credibility and success of the schemes. 'Karnataka's guarantee schemes, implemented at an annual cost of ₹52,000 crore, have empowered the economically weaker sections. Bidar district had achieved a remarkable 98% implementation rate. These schemes have helped the poor and middle-class families to establish small businesses and lead self-reliant lives,' he said. Emphasising the importance of outreach, Mr. Khan instructed officials to launch special awareness campaigns in colleges and among young people to promote the Yuva Nidhi scheme. He also directed transport authorities to ensure that school and college buses operate on schedule and stop appropriately to avoid inconvenience to students. In the light of recent reported cases on the smuggling of Anna Bhagya scheme rice, Mr. Khan warned fair price shops, entrusted with the responsibility of distributing the rice to beneficiaries, of stringent legal action, apart from cancelling their licences and blacklisting them. Providing implementation statistics, Mr. Khan said that, as of May, 3,74,323 women from a total of 3,81,970 ration card-holding families in Bidar have registered under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. A cumulative amount of ₹1,197.64 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries. Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, a total of 13,13,305 beneficiaries have benefited from an expenditure of ₹333.28 crore. From July 2023 to January 2025, the cash equivalent of 5 kg of rice was transferred. From February 2025 onwards, beneficiaries have been receiving 10 kg of rice. Mr. Khan urged the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure that this rice is not illegally diverted. Regarding the Yuva Nidhi scheme, Mr. Khan stated that 10,489 youth have registered in Bidar district, with a total of ₹15.98 crore disbursed to them. He also mentioned that 3,49,588 beneficiaries have been covered under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, with ₹327.69 crore spent. Speaking about the Shakti scheme, Mr. Khan noted that from June 11, 2023, to May 31, 2025, 8.15 crore trips were made, with an average of 1.3 lakh women travelling daily. This has resulted in an expenditure of ₹233.27 crore. Daily revenue from all passengers has averaged ₹32.4 lakh. 'Overall, Bidar district has recorded a total of 8,01,86,364 beneficiaries across all five guarantee schemes, with an aggregate expenditure of ₹2,107.86 crore so far. I appeal to all officials to continue their sincere efforts in delivering these benefits effectively and to ensure that citizens are made fully aware of the schemes available to them,' he said.
