Karnataka government pays guarantee panel members amid fund delay claims

The Karnataka government has released Rs 7.65 crore as honorariums and sitting fees to Congress workers appointed to guarantee scheme implementation committees, even as many beneficiaries of the schemes, reportedly, await funds.

The state’s Finance Department has issued orders to clear payments for chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and members of these committees, some of them as advance payments for up to three months.

The move has triggered sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, which accused the Congress government of prioritising party workers over the actual beneficiaries of the welfare schemes.

“This is an extension plan of looting. Earlier, corruption was at the top, now it has gone into the hands of karyakartas. They’ll get commissions out of it. It’s unfortunate,” said former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, also lashed out at the Congress government, alleging a complete collapse of law and order, especially in coastal regions like Mangaluru.

“No work has been completed, no protection is provided, and there is no financial compensation. The government’s guarantees are false promises. No one is monitoring law and order because Parameshwar himself is entangled in the case,” she said.

“The Chief Minister operates from Bengaluru and travels by helicopter. No one is looking after us. This is the first time I’m witnessing such a government,” she said, adding that the government failed to act in sensitive cases like the Hubli police station attack.

Defending the payments, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said such appointments were not new and pointed fingers at BJP’s own political appointees. “Are Governors not party members? Look at the Chairpersons of various commissions and statutory bodies, so many appointments they have made, and even we have done,” he said.

He dismissed allegations of delay in releasing scheme funds, adding that money is being disbursed as per budget allocations. “There is no delay in funds. Whatever we have committed has been allocated in the budget. They are just jealous. Our schemes are being followed across the country. We are releasing money based on collections,” he said.

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