PM Modi hell-bent on 'revenge' since Karnataka 'rejected' him in assembly polls, says Congress
New Delhi, Apr 27: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been hell-bent on taking "revenge" on the people of Karnataka since they "decisively rejected" him in the 2023 assembly elections.
The opposition party's attack came after the Centre approved about Rs 3,499 crore as drought relief to Karnataka following the state government taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X, "Ever since Mr Modi was rejected decisively by the people of Karnataka in the 2023 assembly elections, he has been hell-bent on taking his revenge."
First, Modi tried to "sabotage" the Anna Bhagya food security scheme but the Congress government was unshaken and launched a direct cash transfer scheme for the 4.49 crore beneficiaries, Ramesh said.
"Second, he cut off funds to Karnataka. Between April 2023 -- when he lost -- and January 2024, total central transfers to Karantaka have declined by 23 per cent. Central grants have fallen by 56 per cent," he alleged.
Third, the Centre delayed the legitimate drought relief funds due to the farmers of the state, Ramesh further claimed.
"223 out of 236 talukas in Karnataka are facing drought conditions, with 196 taluks being categorised as severely hit. As early as September 2023, the Karnataka government had approached the Modi sarkar to release funds of Rs 18,172 crore for drought relief. It was delayed for months," the Congress leader said.
Today, after the Karnataka government dragged the Modi government to the Supreme Court for failing to provide drought relief, the Union finance ministry finally agreed to release more than Rs 3,498 crore to Karnataka's farmers, he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the Centre has approved Rs 3,499 crore as drought relief and released only Rs 3,454 crore.
He urged the prime minister to release the balance amount as soon as possible.
The chief minister also thanked the Supreme Court for warning the central government and providing some drought relief to the state.
Ever since Mr. Modi was rejected decisively by the people of Karnataka in the 2023 Assembly Elections, he has been hell-bent on taking his revenge.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 27, 2024
• First, he tried to sabotage the Anna Bhagya food security scheme. @INCIndia’s Government was unshaken and launched a direct…
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Madras High Court seeks report on youtuber Savukku Shankar's health amid custodial torture allegatio
Chennai: In response to allegations of custodial torture against YouTuber Savukku Shankar, the Madras High Court has requested a report from the District Legal Services Authority, Coimbatore, regarding his health condition.
The vacation bench comprising Justice AD Jagadish Chandira and Justice R Kalaimathi has instructed the authority to furnish a report by May 9, 2024. This decision came after being informed that the DLSA had deployed three empaneled lawyers and a specialist doctor to assess Shankar's health. The directive stemmed from a habeas corpus petition filed by Shankar's mother, Kamala, seeking a judicial inquiry into the alleged mistreatment of her son in custody and urging for his adequate medical care in a government hospital.
Shankar was arrested by the Coimbatore police on May 4, following a complaint by a female journalist regarding defamatory statements against women police officers. He has been detained in judicial custody until May 17, facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and related statutes. Shankar's mother alleges that he sustained severe injuries, including a fractured right hand, due to police brutality while in custody. Moreover, she asserts that the prison authorities have neglected to provide appropriate medical treatment, thereby violating his fundamental rights.
During the court proceedings, Senior Advocate John Sathyan, representing Shankar, argued that his client showed no signs of injury upon arrest but later exhibited a fractured hand, indicating possible custodial violence. Although Sathyan requested the court to allow Shankar to be presented via video conferencing for examination of his injuries, the court deemed it unnecessary, stating it would broaden the scope of the habeas corpus petition.
