Bengaluru, February 26 (IANS). Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Thursday that there is nothing wrong if rich people opt out of the state guarantee scheme of their own free will. He also said that the government will not stop any program.
He was answering media questions at Vidhana Soudha.
“There is nothing wrong if rich people leave the guarantee scheme of their own free will. Government employees and those working in big IT companies have told us that they do not need the benefits of the guarantee scheme,” he said.
Responding to speculations about closure of guarantee schemes, Shivakumar said there is no proposal to stop them under any circumstances.
He said, “For example, in some cases, the guarantee scheme money has been deposited in the name of dead people. Even ration rice is being withdrawn in the name of dead people. However, the Griha Jyoti scheme does not face this problem.”
He said that huge amounts of money have been withdrawn in the name of dead people and stressed the need to stop such misuse.
“The government is facing difficulties in identifying the dead, and talks are ongoing on how to solve this problem,” he said. When asked about the comments of some ministers that rich people should be kept out of the guarantee scheme, Shivakumar said that some beneficiaries themselves have said that they do not need such benefits.
He said, “Some rich people have said that they do not need these benefits. They have also said the same about 200 units of free electricity. We are reviewing the matter.”
He requested the media not to misinterpret his words.
He said, “I have clearly said that no guarantee scheme will be closed under any circumstances. Despite the difficulties, we are continuing to provide the guarantee scheme.”
Shivakumar also rejected claims that development work was being hampered due to the expenditure on the guarantee scheme.
“In this budget, our government will announce many development projects,” he said.
–IANS
SCH