Pushpa Amarnath, vice-chairperson, Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee.
| Photo Credit: H S MANJUNATH
Pushpa Amarnath, vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee, dismissed the opposition claims that payment to guarantee committee members amounted to misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Speaking at a press conference in Mysuru on March 13, she criticized the BJP and JD(S) for attempting to discredit the schemes despite widespread public approval.
Referring to one of the major points raised by the opposition — pertaining to honorarium paid to guarantee committee members — Ms. Amarnath said, “It is only a modest honorarium ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per visit, and none of them enjoy any additional facility or luxury.”
“There are only 25 members in total for the entire State. Their role is purely administrative, ensuring that the benefits of the schemes reach the deserving,” said Ms. Amarnath refuting suggestions that the committee members were superceding the MLAs. ‘’Can the guarantee committee members wield the power of the MLAs. Is it even conceivable?”
Accusing the opposition of selectively targeting the Congress-led initiative in Karnataka, Ms. Amarnath accused the BJP of appointing party and RSS workers as PAs to ministers in neighbouring Maharashtra.
She accused the BJP and JD(S) of politically motivated opposition to the guarantee schemes, arguing that the programmes have helped people rebuild their lives amid rising prices, and claimed that the opposition is rattled by their success.
She said workers, daily wagers, women, and marginalised communities have benefited from the schemes, unlike under the previous BJP government when they all felt let down and bore the brunt of price rise.
“The opposition in Karnataka has been rattled by the successful implementation of the schemes, which have been well-received by the public. If the implementation continues successfully, the Congress government will gain more support, and this has unnerved the opposition,” said Ms. Amarnath.
Praising the State budget, she described it as balanced, development-oriented, and aligned with the ideals of Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. She condemned the opposition for describing it a ‘halal budget’, and said such statements are baseless and divisive.
She clarified that allocations for minorities amount to only ₹4,000 crore while the size of the State budget is ₹4 lakh crore. Besides, minorities include Jains, Christians, Buddhists, and others, not just Muslims.
Calling upon the opposition to recognise the positive impact of the budget and the guarantee schemes, Ms. Amarnath said their benefits extend to all sections of society. Instead of attempting to derail welfare initiatives, the BJP and the JD(S) should see for themselves how the guarantee schemes have improved people’s lives.
Published – March 13, 2025 05:20 pm IST
