From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 7: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar made it clear that beneficiaries of the guarantee schemes from the government must provide documentary proof such as voters ID, bank account details, Aadhaar card etc. as the benefits provided by the government much reach the deserving.
“Even a rupee paid by the government must be accounted and there is nothing wrong in demanding identity proof,’’ he said speaking to media persons near his residence on Wednesday.
Shivakumar made it clear that the cash benefits will be transferred under the direct benefit transfer facility as it is money disbursed from the public exchequer. The benefits should go only to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said it is up to the families to decide who the female head of the family is. It can be mother in law or daughter in law, whoever manages the household should get the Gruhalakshmi scheme benefit. Similarly, there are records of the members of BPL families.
He charged the BJP and JD(S) of raising needless controversies and creating confusion in the minds of the people.
“Let the BJP first ensure that the promise of Rs 15 lakh deposit in the bank accounts of all citizens is fulfilled. The promise was made during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. How much interest the money would have fetched in 9 years? BJP should also create 2 crore jobs annually and double the income of farmers. The prices of petrol, diesel and domestic gas cylinders must be reduced,’’ he demanded.
Shivakumar said there is no problem in BJP or JD(S) launching protests as it is a democratic right for all citizens.
To a question on why the guarantees are provided only to the poor and not the tax payers as well as all sections of society as if they have not voted for the Congress, the Deputy Chief Minister said the guarantees were specifically targeted at the poor, women and unemployed youth as these people have suffered the most and facing hardships.
“In fact, many tax-payers and well-off people have already written stating that they do not want any benefits under the guarantees. Even government servants and officers have declined the benefits. The price rise and inflation has hit the poor and women the most. We need to help these people,’’ he explained.
Shivakumar met former Union minister P Chidambaram’s son and Lok Sabha member Karthi Chidambaram at Kumara Krupa guest house and held a mutual discussion.