Stating that the guarantee schemes have financially empowered families, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot said that as many as 1.37 lakh crore families in Karnataka would receive direct financial benefit from one scheme or the other in 2024-25.
Addressing the 77th Republic Day at Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru, he said that while the state spends ₹1.12 crore annually to provide economic dynamism to the people and empower the most backward sections, more than ₹1.13 crore has been paid to families under guarantee schemes. Quoting from the Family Survey Data, he said that 1.37 lakh crore families have benefited from one or the other government scheme in 2024-25.
“Several studies have shown that people’s purchasing power has increased and families are financially strengthened, and there is a new economic and social enthusiasm among women. Studies have shown that guarantee systems established on the basis of universal basic income have brought significant changes to women’s lives,” he added.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during the Republic Day celebrations in Bengaluru on Monday. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Of the programs for women, the governor outlined 12 days of menstrual leave for women annually and the ‘Akka’ task force among others.
In line with Kuvempu’s vision of Sarva Janangada Shantiya Thota, Mr. Gehlot said Karnataka worked hard to maintain harmony. “Special task forces have been established to further strengthen harmony in the community, leading to lasting peace in sensitive areas,” he added. By 2025, the government had enacted 76 laws while 105 rules had been consolidated and published, he said.
Initiatives to support growth
Enumerating the government’s initiatives that are expected to boost growth in the state, the governor said the Local Economy Accelerator Program has been formulated with ₹1,000 crore to create five million jobs in the next five years. The Karnataka Quantum Roadmap has been released to build a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035.
“Projects worth ₹ 1.5 lakh crore implemented in Bengaluru in coming days will accelerate development and ₹ 83 lakh spent on capital expenditure prioritized job creation.”
Mr. Gehlot said that more than 80% of the long pending cases in the revenue courts have been disposed of, 91,163 podis have been completed and 4,050 unregistered villages have been declared as revenue villages. Approval has been given to convert B khatha to A khatha properties, which is expected to benefit more than 20 lakh people under the urban local bodies, he added.
He pointed out that while contracts have been signed to purchase 3,704 MW of electricity from private companies, state-owned companies have prepared action plans to generate another 4,794 MW.
In the field of education, Mr. Gehlot said that the committee’s recommendation of Dr. Sukhdeo Thorat are implemented.
Bengaluru Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Davanagere are emerging as health hubs, he added.
Federal liability
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who sparked a Lok Bhavan-government confrontation last week over his speech in a joint session of the legislature, said on Monday, “The responsibility to preserve the federal structure without weakening it lies with all of us. If we protect the Constitution, the Constitution will protect us. The Constitution is becoming more relevant day by day.”
“The most important task facing the people is to elect representatives who will work with an understanding of the basic spirit of the Constitution and preserve democracy through constant questioning and dialogue. The true strength of our Republic lies in unity in diversity, the dynamism of democratic institutions and commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution,” the governor said in his Republic Day speech.
Published – 26 Jan 2026 16:28 IST
