The Congress-led Karnataka government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, came into power with a slew of promises aimed at transforming the state across various sectors, including public health, education, environment, employment, industry, and the development of Bengaluru. As the government marks its one-year anniversary, it is time to evaluate the progress made on these promises.
A Citizen’s Report Card was unveiled at Century Club, on 8 August, providing a detailed analysis of the first-year performance of the Congress-led Karnataka government. The report, presented by A Krishna Prasanth and developed by CIVIC Bangalore, was a collaborative effort involving civil society members, volunteers, and interns. They meticulously gathered data through government orders, RTI responses, and media publications to evaluate the government’s delivery on its manifesto promises across six key humanitarian issues: Health, Education, Industry, Employment, Bengaluru, and One Year Promises.
The findings are striking only 3% of the 59 promises outlined in the manifesto have been fulfilled.
Kathyayini Chamaraj criticized the manifesto’s lack of vision, arguing it focused on monetary solutions rather than evidence-based, needs-driven policies.
Sandeep Anirudhan highlighted that many of the promises, especially those related to Bengaluru, were misaligned with the Constitution and existing court orders, aimed more at voter appeal than meaningful reform. He attributed Bengaluru’s environmental decline to poor governance and emphasized the need for increased citizen activism. Student volunteers involved in the report’s development recounted challenges, including intimidation from government officials when filing RTIs. Looking forward, the plan is to expand the report card exercise next year, using a citizen-driven manifesto to hold the government accountable for its promises and actions.
Bengaluru: The Urban Challenge
Bengaluru, the bustling capital of Karnataka, was a focal point in the Congress manifesto. The government pledged to construct North-South and South-East elevated flyovers, develop tunnel roads in the Central Business District (CBD) area, and prioritize the suburban railway project. Additionally, the introduction of 5,000 new electric buses and e-rickshaws aimed to reduce pollution and improve connectivity.
However, the report card reveals that none of these promises have been fully realized. Out of 19 promises made for Bengaluru, 7 are in progress, 11 have seen no work started, and 1 has failed. The ambitious plan to constitute a ‘Maha Bengaluru Samsthan’ involving urban governance experts and other stakeholders to revive the city’s lost glory remains unfulfilled.
Employment: A Mixed Bag
Employment was another critical area where the Congress government made several promises. The administration aimed to regularize the services of in-source employees under the Health & Family Welfare Department, increase the salaries and benefits of Anganwadi and ASHA workers, and enhance honorariums for Midday Meal Cooks. The establishment of the Bharat Ratna CNR Fund with a corpus of ₹500 crores for basic scientific research was also on the agenda.
Out of 15 employment-related promises, only 1 has been fulfilled, while 12 are still in progress, and 1 has seen no work started. The promise to provide an ‘Unemployment Allowance’ of ₹3,000 per month to registered graduates and ₹1,500 to diploma holders remains unfulfilled. The government’s efforts to fill vacancies in all government departments within a year have also not seen the light of day.
Education: Striving for Improvement
In the education sector, the Congress government aimed to regulate school fees, increase the income limit under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, and upgrade 2,500 government schools to smart schools. The promise to bear the college fees of 10% of government school students who secure seats in prestigious institutions like IITs and medical colleges was a significant highlight.
Despite these ambitious plans, the report card shows that only 1 out of 7 promises has been fulfilled. Five are still in progress, and 1 has failed. The establishment of the Karnataka State Educational Financial Corporation with a seed money of ₹2,000 crores to streamline state scholarships is still a work in progress.
Public Health: A Critical Sector
Public health was another area where the Congress government made several commitments. These included filling vacancies of staff and doctors in government hospitals, establishing trauma centers along national highways, and setting up specialized hospitals in each revenue division. The extension of the Rastriya Swasthya Bhima Yojna to gig workers and the introduction of the Puneeth Rajkumar Heart Health Scheme were also on the agenda.
Unfortunately, none of the 6 promises in the public health sector have been fulfilled. While all are marked as “Work in Progress,” the lack of completed initiatives in such a critical sector is alarming.
Environment: A Sole Success
The Congress government made a single promise in the environment sector: to stop the mining mafia and make suitable changes to mining laws. This promise remains unfulfilled, with no significant progress reported.
Industry: Ambitious Yet Unfulfilled
The industrial sector saw several ambitious promises, including the establishment of a Welfare Fund worth ₹1,000 crores for small traders, State GST concessions for electric vehicles, and the creation of a Jean Capital in Bellary. The government also aimed to set up a Gold and Diamond Park in Mangalore and develop industrial infrastructure in border areas.
Out of 11 promises, none have been fulfilled, although 2 are in progress. The remaining 9 promises have seen no work started, indicating a significant gap between intent and action.
One-Year Promises: A Disappointing Record
The Congress government also made five specific promises to be fulfilled within one year. These included filling all vacancies of teachers and staff in government and aided schools/colleges, taking action to fill all backlog vacancies, and completing all pending metro projects under Phase 2, Phase 2A, and Phase 2B. Unfortunately, none of these promises have been fulfilled, with all five marked as “Work in Progress.”
Five Guarantee Schemes: Success and Shortcomings
The Shakti scheme, providing free bus travel for women, has been a notable success. In its first year, women availed 227 crore free rides, amounting to ₹5,500 crore in ticket value. The government allocated ₹5,015 crore for 2024-2025, up from ₹2,800 crore initially. However, challenges persist, including overcrowded busses and reports of rude behavior from conductors.
Gruha Jyoti offers 200 units of free electricity to households, while Yuva Nidhi provides financial assistance to unemployed graduates. The Yuva Nidhi scheme, launched in January, promises ₹3,000 monthly to degree holders and ₹1,500 to diploma holders for up to two years. Approximately 70,000 youths have registered for Yuva Nidhi, with the government earmarking ₹250 crore for the current year.
Implementation of Anna Bhagya and Gruha Lakshmi schemes has faced technical hurdles. Many families are yet to receive benefits due to issues like outdated ration cards, bank account changes, and difficulties in registering new beneficiaries. The government has transferred money to only about 63 lakh women out of 1.12 crore registered beneficiaries for Gruha Lakshmi, highlighting significant implementation challenges.
The Congress government’s guarantee schemes have gained significant public support, with 80% of respondents in a survey believing they empower beneficiaries. These initiatives, costing Rs.52,000 crore annually, aim to increase purchasing power by Rs.5,000 per family monthly. The Shakti scheme, providing free bus rides for women, has improved their mobility and safety, with daily savings of up to Rs 200 reported.
While the guarantees have brought benefits, challenges persist in public services. The government faces difficulties in staffing institutions, with many schools lacking basic infrastructure. Health sector improvements remain slow, with public health expenditure at only 2% of NSDP. The diversion of funds from SC/ST sub-plans to finance guarantees has raised concerns about targeted welfare programs.
The guaranteed schemes’ impact on the state’s economy is mixed. While they aim to boost consumer spending and economic activity, the government has resorted to loans and tax hikes to finance them. Recent increases in petrol, diesel, and milk prices have affected citizens’ purchasing power. The state expects to generate Rs 3,000 crore through fuel price hikes, potentially offsetting some benefits of the welfare schemes.
The annual report card of the Congress-led Karnataka government paints a picture of unmet expectations and unfulfilled promises. While several initiatives are marked as “Work in Progress,” the lack of completed projects across critical sectors like public health, education, and employment is a cause for concern. As the government moves into its second year, it must accelerate its efforts to deliver on its promises and meet the aspirations of the people of Karnataka. The road ahead is challenging, but with focused efforts and effective governance, the Congress administration can still make significant strides in transforming the state.
