Rahul Gandhi promises fishermen Rs 10 lakh insurance cover, Rs 25 subsidy per litre of diesel
Udupi (Karnataka), Apr 27: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday promised Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for fishermen, Rs one lakh interest-free loan to fisherwomen and Rs 25 subsidy per litre of diesel up to a maximum of 500 litres per day, if Congress is voted to power in Karnataka.
During an interaction with members of the fishing community at Kapu in Udupi district, he alleged that corruption and price rise are hurting the fisherfolk, and getting bank loans have become difficult.
"Fish population is decreasing, operation cost is going up resulting in increase in fish price. That's why we want to help you and offer you some relief," the former Congress president said.
"We will do three things for you: Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for fishermen, Rs one lakh interest-free loan to fisherwomen and a subsidy of Rs 25 per litre of diesel up to 500 litres diesel a day," Gandhi said.
"All these assurances will be implemented in the first cabinet meeting of the next government," he said, adding the Congress would not just give promises, but will begin to act on the first day."
For the Karnataka polls, the Congress had already announced four key guarantees': 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi), in the event of coming to power in the state.
Stating that the upcoming elections was a fight between two ideologies, Gandhi said the Congress would work for the poor and downtrodden.
READ ALSO: Belthangady: Thousands of fish found dead in River Somavathi; poisoning of water suspected
He said the present BJP government in the state was not one elected by the people and that crores of rupees were spent by that party to "purchase" MLAs. "The government is not elected by you, but was bought by BJP with money power. This is the truth known to all in Karnataka."
Even BJP MLAs were now saying that the chief minister's post is for sale for Rs 2,500 crore, he added.
With the contractors' association filing a complaint that the BJP government had been demanding 40 per cent commission for implementing any work, people had realised the corruption of the present government, he said.
Gandhi also alleged that there were corrupt deals involved in the appointment of teachers, police inspectors and assistant engineers, and that the money being spent by the ruling party was being collected from the people.
"Who are the beneficiaries of your money? They are not spending it for the health or education sectors, but for some of their millionaire friends," he alleged.
Gandhi said the Congress would ensure that public money reached the people.
Karnataka will vote on May 10, and the results will be declared on May 13.
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Karnataka School Edu Dept prohibits children from being made to dance to obscene songs
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka School Education Department has issued a circular strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs in educational and cultural programmes.
It stated that such dances would negatively impact students' mental health and moral values. It will create indiscipline and harm the sanctity of education.
"All the Deputy Directors (Administration) of the state's School Education Department have been asked to take strict measures to prevent children or students from dancing to obscene songs in all government, aided and unaided schools in the state," the office of the commissioner of the School Education Department said in a recent circular.
"If it is found that children are being made to dance to obscene songs, appropriate action will be taken against the headmaster or management of such school," it added.
The department also listed certain measures in this regard, which include: strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes; selecting songs that are inspiring, positive, instilling national pride in children and reflecting the greatness, dignity, values, culture, and morality of the state.
Stating that the school headmaster and management are responsible for selecting songs and dances for cultural programmes, it said, they should also ensure that students wear decent clothes in dance or cultural programmes.
