CPI(M), BJP criticise Rahul Gandhi’s poll guarantees in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced five poll guarantees for Kerala, CPI(M) and BJP leaders on Sunday criticised the promises, with some leaders claiming they would not be implemented.
Rahul had announced free travel for women in KSRTC buses, Rs 1,000 per month for girls studying in colleges, an increase in welfare pension to Rs 3,000 per month, a family insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans for young entrepreneurs.
State Finance Minister K N Balagopal told reporters that people are well aware of the guarantees made by the Congress party.
“When the UDF was in power, the welfare pension was only Rs 600 and payments for 18 months were pending. People also remember reports that 24 persons committed suicide after being denied retirement benefits in KSRTC,” he said.
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He said that during the UDF regime, many KSRTC buses were non-functional.
“Now we release around Rs 72 crore to KSRTC every month for paying pension alone. Apart from that, we release Rs 50 crore every month for the salary of KSRTC employees. After proper management, KSRTC is now functioning properly,” he said.
Balagopal said the LDF manifesto would be released soon.
“People know that promises made by Congress were never implemented. People in Kerala will not fall for their words. On the other hand, we have implemented all the promises we made, and they were completed by November last year,” he said.
He said that despite the Centre allegedly denying funds, Kerala has managed to survive, but the situation is very different in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh.
“Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister recently went to Delhi, saying the state has no money to pay salaries. The announced DA and salary revision were withdrawn,” he said.
Balagopal also alleged that in Telangana, where the Congress is in power, the chief minister had said salaries to employees cannot be paid on the first day of the month.
He also claimed that appointments in government departments have been suspended in these states.
“They are declaring these guarantees not to implement them. It has to be taken only in that way,” Balagopal said.
Industries Minister P Rajeev said the public, after hearing the guarantees announced by the Congress, had started remembering the days when the UDF government was in power.
“During the UDF regime, KSRTC was on the verge of closure. Where will the promises of such people reach?” he asked.
Rajeev said that, out of the Rs 2,000 welfare pension currently given in the state, the UDF government's contribution was just Rs 100.
“Even that amount was only promised but not given. Only the LDF government under V S Achuthanandan paid the pending amount. With such a history, these promises are being made,” he said.
Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said that if the guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi were implemented for even two months, KSRTC would collapse and there would be nothing left to pay employees' salaries.
“They don’t know about KSRTC as much as I know about it. Rahul Gandhi announced a similar free bus travel scheme in Karnataka. I saw a report that Karnataka SRTC is now under severe loss and crisis,” he said.
He said that when the LDF in its previous election manifesto promised Rs 2,000 welfare pension, Congress leader V D Satheesan had termed it a bribe to get votes.
“Now they have promised Rs 3,000 welfare pension. Is that not a bribe for them now? Will the people of Kerala believe the promises of the Congress?” he asked.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Congress guarantees were merely political drama.
“They give tall promises to poor people. But after the election, they cheat people. This is the politics of the Congress,” he said.
He said that Congress governments in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, which came to power promising welfare schemes, are now facing severe financial crises and development has stalled.
“The Congress party will go to any level to get power. It is not for development but for corruption,” he alleged.
He also referred to the farm loan waiver announced before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
“After coming to power, the CAG found that there was 30 per cent corruption in the scheme,” he alleged.
“Congress does this to get the votes of poor people, come to power and then indulge in corruption,” he added.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
