Study calls for redesign of Karnataka govt's three 'guarantee' schemes

Bengaluru: While giving the five “guarantee” schemes a thumbs-up, a study has found that Shakti, Yuva Nidhi and Gruha Lakshmi programmes need “redesign” as they are not resulting in large-scale employability, employment and economic growth.

The impact evaluation of the “guarantee” schemes was done by independent policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy with Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and Indus Action Initiatives. The report was submitted to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday. 

“In their current design and deployment, none of the three schemes - Shakti, Yuva Nidhi and Gruha Lakshmi - result in increases in large-scale employability, employment and economic growth,” the study found. “All three enable the seeking of a better or new job, and stemming economic distress, but do not present evidence of increasing economic outcomes. They have the potential to catalyse employment in scale but will need redesign,” it said.

The mixed-method study (quantitative and qualitative) covered 6,125 samples in 15 districts. 

The study found other gaps such as “deprivation” of communities like the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) and waste workers due to Anna Bhagya enrolments being closed for two years. 

Savings

“The biggest impact is to women’s self-confidence, self-reliance and empowerment,” Tara said. 

“While women receive Gruha Lakshmi money, they also save money due to Shakti (75% saving up to Rs 500 per week) and Gruha Jyoti (74% saving up to Rs 500 per month),” Tara said.

“About 75-98% women report improvement in access to health & nutrition as combined impact of five guarantees across all districts surveyed. While they get more grains through enhanced Anna Bhagya, women use saved or received money on milk, vegetables, eggs, meat for families,” Tara said. 

“Shakti is a tour de force for lower-income women’s employment and income boost. In Bengaluru Urban district, 34% reported new or better jobs, with 26% having acquired new jobs. This raises their earned income,” she found.