Karnataka is considered a model state in terms of social welfare and economic development in the country. The state government has implemented several schemes for the welfare of the citizens. The various welfare measures have been introduced under the respective State Departments.
Let us have a look at some of the welfare measures introduced in Karnataka:
Karnataka Government’s Education Welfare Schemes
The Karnataka State Government has introduced various measures such as educational schemes financial awards, scholarships, grants, loans, fellowships of school education and literacy, higher education, elementary education, secondary education, technical and medical education, tribal education, adult education, vocational studies, etc. under the Karnataka Education Department.
These measures have been initiated to benefit all students of Ph.D., post-graduation (PG), and undergraduate (UG) courses. Students studying in class IX, class X, class XI, and class XII can also draw benefit from these educational schemes and programs.
These welfare measures are meant for general category students as well as for students categorized under Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minority category, disabled/physically handicapped, rural areas, and below poverty line (BPL).
The main objectives of the educational schemes and programs are:
- To provide encouragement to students
- To develop and upgrade skills
- To improve educational and economic status
Some of the benefits offered through the education welfare schemes and programs are:
- Educational assistance and facilities
- Interest Subsidy (CSIS) on education loan
- Scholarship, Awards, Incentive, Cash
- Technical and vocational training
Women and Child Welfare Initiatives by Karnataka Government
The Department of Women and Child Development under the Karnataka State Government has been assigned the responsibility to implement various social welfare schemes, including health and nutrition programs for women and children. Various women and child welfare initiatives have been introduced to benefit pregnant women, mothers, girl child, nursing women, lactating mothers, widows, physically handicapped, and old aged women. These schemes are also meant to benefit women self-help group (SHG), Anganwadi workers, women health volunteers, and women entrepreneurs.
The main objectives of the women and child welfare programs are:
- To encourage and promote women empowerment
- To promote gender equality
- To ensure fulfilment of social, political, and economic rights of women
- To protect women from all kinds of domestic violence
- To protect and empower girl child
- To improve child sex ratio
The women and child welfare schemes offer assistance in the form of:
- Loan subsidy
- Skill development
- Training
- Education
- Cash assistance
- Scholarship
- Nutrition
- Self-employment
Labour Welfare by Karnataka Government
The State Government of Karnataka has established the Karnataka Labour Welfare Board to administer the labour welfare schemes in the state. The state government has constituted the Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund to promote and finance activities for the welfare of the employees.
The main objectives of the labour welfare programs are:
- To enforce various labour laws and rules
- To prevent strikes and lockouts
- To settle industrial disputes arising out of lockouts, closures, strikes, layoffs, termination, etc.
- To settle claims and matters related to workmen’s compensation, gratuity, minimum wages, etc.
- To implement various schemes of Central and State governments introduced for the welfare of the unorganized and organized workers
- To deal with matters related to women workers
- To eliminate child labour
- To promote worker’s education scheme
- To enforce recreational activities for workers through various welfare centers
Among the benefits offered through labour welfare schemes are:
- Medical assistance
- Maternity benefit
- Financial assistance to workers in case of accidents
- Disability assistance
- Funeral assistance
Health and Family Welfare Initiatives by Karnataka Government
The Karnataka State Government recognizes that good health of its citizens is vital for the overall development of the state. To enhance the health and well-being of its people, the state government has implemented various health and family welfare schemes and programs. These welfare schemes by Karnataka Government are aimed at reducing the suffering and ill health of people and in turn, improve their productivity. Facilities have been provided in all medical institutions of the state for conducting laparoscopic operations, IUD placements, tubectomy, and vasectomy.
The main objectives of the health and family welfare schemes are:
- To provide integrated and comprehensive primary health care
- To improve health of all sectors of the society
- To improve standard of living and reduce suffering
- To maintain healthcare standards
- To ensure even distribution of quality health care services
- To control epidemics and outbreaks
- To provide access to safe and quality drugs at affordable prices
- To increase access to systems of alternative medicine
Among the major benefits extended through the Karnataka Government’s health and family welfare schemes are:
- Quality health care facilities
- Access to primary health care
- Health insurance schemes
Welfare of the Disabled Population by Karnataka Government
The Karnataka State Government has introduced several welfare schemes to benefit people with disabilities. The welfare schemes for disabled people are meant to facilitate the integration of such people in the mainstream of society. Through the Karnataka State Policy of Disability and the welfare schemes, the state government aims to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities.
The main objectives of Karnataka Government’s welfare programs for the disabled people are:
- To ensure rehabilitation for people with disabilities
- To provide education and economic opportunities for disabled people
- To promote self-employment amongst people with disabilities
- To ensure non-discrimination of people with disabilities
Some of the benefits extended through the welfare schemes for disabled people are:
- Healthcare assistance
- Support for financial security
- Vocational rehabilitation
Also See
Karnataka Government and Its Initiatives