Bengaluru, Oct 3 (NationPress) The Congress party asserts that the Karnataka government's five guarantees, introduced over the last two years, have led to significant and measurable change.

Congress MP and General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh on Friday referenced a report from an independent study conducted by four distinguished research and academic institutions that thoroughly assessed the outcomes of these guarantees.

In his media statement, Jairam Ramesh highlighted the effects of the effective implementation of these guarantees. "The findings are clear: Women are healthier, more mobile, and empowered within their families and communities. Families are committing to long-term investments in health and education. Local economies are thriving, with increased demand at the grassroots level."

Ramesh further shared some key insights from the report.

Regarding the Shakti (free bus travel) Scheme, he noted, "19 percent of the women beneficiaries secured paid employment or improved job opportunities thanks to the mobility offered by buses – in the Bengaluru Urban district, this figure escalated to 34 percent. 80 percent of the beneficiaries reported enhanced access to healthcare. Significantly, 72 percent of the surveyed women indicated that the scheme bolstered their self-confidence and empowerment."

Under the Gruha Lakshmi (Rs 2,000 to women heads) scheme, 94 percent allocated a portion of the funds towards improving diet and nutrition, 90 percent for healthcare, and nearly 50 percent for their children's education. Women are predominantly utilizing the funds for long-term investments in their families' health and wellbeing, he stated.

According to the Congress leader, under the Anna Bhagya (free rice) initiative, 94 percent of respondents reported benefiting from the scheme. 91 percent of the beneficiary families are now spending on supplementary nutrition such as vegetables and milk, as the enhanced Anna Bhagya scheme meets their grain needs.

Ramesh remarked, "With the Gruha Jyoti (free 200 units of power), 72 percent of women beneficiaries reported increased electricity usage, and 43 percent purchased new appliances that save time and enhance quality of life."

"42 percent of those receiving the allowance under Yuva Nidhi (unemployment support for youth) invested the funds in skill development and employment," Ramesh noted.

The Karnataka government's five guarantees represent a series of welfare initiatives launched in 2023 to assist low-income households, empower women, and tackle unemployment. The Congress-led administration contends these schemes are part of a broader welfare strategy aimed at uplifting marginalized communities and fostering social equity.

To support its flagship welfare initiative, the Karnataka government has earmarked approximately Rs 52,000 crore annually for the five guarantees scheme. This allocation is part of the state's overall budget, which for the fiscal year 2024-25 has been set at Rs 3.71 lakh crore.