Bengaluru: Most of the governments formulate people-centric welfare programmes and provide facilities to the people through them. Such schemes also play a decisive role in deciding whom people should vote for. To what extent such schemes of the Central and state Governments have reached the people and what is their impact, voters in Karnataka were asked as part of the Lok Nithi-CSDS survey.
According to survey nearly three out of ten voters said that they have been benefited from the Central Government’s MNREGA, Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas, Ujwala and pension schemes. However, Jeevan Jyoti Insurance Scheme, Suraksha Insurance Scheme, and Crop Insurance Scheme have not reached many people. Only two out of ten voters said that these schemes have benefited them.
The main objective of the state Government’s Bhagyalakshmi Yojana is to have more girls in families below the poverty line and to stop female foeticide. Direct cash transfer is available to the beneficiaries on birth of first and second female child. A large number of people have benefited from this scheme. In all, 45% of the voters who participated in the survey said that they or their family members have benefited from this scheme. The scheme of giving bicycles to school children is also very popular. As many as 37% of the voters said that this scheme has helped them.
Initially, the scheme was limited to girl students studying in Government schools. Later, it was extended to aided schools and students. This scheme was abandoned in this academic year. However, a considerable number of families have benefited from this scheme. Pension Scheme, Zero Interest Farm Loan Scheme and Crop Insurance benefited three out of ten voters. A quarter of the voters said that they have benefited from the Covid relief. The state Government’s Health Insurance Scheme has been approved by two out of ten voters. Less than 20% people have got the benefit of Chief Minister’s Bala Kavacha Yojana. This is a scheme to give ₹3,500 per month to children who have lost their parents due to Covid. A separate question was also asked whether you or your family benefited from any Central or state Scheme in the last 2–3 years. People said that they benefited more from the Centre’s schemes as compared to the state Schemes. The proportions are respectively: 44 percent and 38 percent.
A voter’s decision is not based on one factor. There is some correlation between scheme benefits and vote choice: beneficiaries of any Central or state Scheme are more likely to have voted for the BJP. Those who didn’t benefit might have voted for Congress or JD (S). A new addition to the debate is the link between development projects and the political choice of their beneficiaries.