The Congress Party has made a number of pledges to enhance the lives of the Kannadigas as Karnataka prepares for the next elections. The Congress Party’s platform offers a comprehensive strategy for a better future, including free power and food as well as financial assistance for housewives and the unemployed.
One of the Congress Party’s most important pledges is to give 200 free electricity units to each family in the state. This action aims to lessen the financial strain on families and enhance their standard of living. Also, in order to aid with the state’s food security, the party has promised to give 10 kg of free rice each month to households who are below the poverty line.
Though all these schemes are not beneficial for those who are economically in a better position, they will particularly help the vulnerable class who have been hit hardest by the COVID lockdowns and increasing unemployment in the country since the demonetisation period. Income inequality is now a very big issue in India which has also started to cause social tensions as can be seen in the rise of regionalism in different states of India.
The COVID-19 pandemic in particular has caused the wealth of the bottom 50% of Indian society to decline. After 2020, they would have contributed only 13% of the nation’s GDP and 3% of the total national wealth. In other words, the pandemic has significantly reduced the income and wealth of India’s poorest 50%.
The Congress Party also made a significant commitment to support housewives financially. Eligible housewives would be given a monthly payment of Rs. 2,000 under this programme, which will aid in sustaining their families and enhancing their financial security.
The earlier Siddaramaiah-led Congress party though failed to attain a majority in seats but still managed to get the highest share of votes in the 2018 Assembly Elections. One particular reason for this was given the number of social welfare schemes that were run by the Siddaramaiah government.
From Indira Canteens in 2017 providing affordable meals to the urban poor to the Kalyan Karnataka Scheme that was launched in 2013 to provide special assistance to the six districts of Karnataka that were identified as backward, the preceding Congress government too tried to bring parity among the rich and the poor. This time too the inclusive growth of all communities and regions of Karnataka seems to be the aim as more integrated schemes are being planned.
The Congress Party has also recognized the issue of unemployment in the state and has promised to provide financial support to graduates and diploma holders who are currently unemployed. Under this scheme, unemployed graduates will receive a monthly payment of Rs. 3,000, while diploma holders will receive Rs. 1,500 per month for two years. This move is aimed at providing financial stability to those who are struggling to find employment and improving their prospects for the future.
Along with these pledges, the Congress Party has also promised to offer 2.5 lakh government jobs within the next 1.5 years and to create 10 lakh jobs in the next 5 years. These pledges are intended to increase possibilities for Karnataka residents and boost the state’s overall economic expansion.
In conclusion, the promises made by the Congress Party for a better future in Karnataka are extensive and intended to address some of the most important problems the state is currently grappling with. The party’s platform is centred on enhancing the lives of all Kannadigas, from free electricity and food to financial assistance for housewives and unemployed people. It is unclear whether the Congress Party will be able to keep its promises once the state votes, but their dedication to building a brighter future for Karnataka’s residents is undoubtedly a promising beginning.
