Though not a poor state, Karnataka can ill-afford election freebies

The state's committed liabilities are projected to rise to 60% in FY'24 from 55% in the previous year

Political parties have promised various sops for people in their campaign for the Karnataka assembly elections to be held on May 10. The state is financially sound to implement these schemes, but its committed expenditures are on the rise, which gives it a limited scope to dole out freebies.

Among various promises by political parties, the Congress has announced giving 200 units of free electricity, 10 kg of rice to low-income families, Rs 3,000 monthly allowance for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for (jobless) diploma-holders for a period of two years. Janata Dal (Secular) has announced an assistance of Rs