BJP to launch protest post-Ugadi against state govt. over price hike of basic commodities: R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: Opposition leader R. Ashoka has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, warning that the BJP will intensify its protest after Ugadi, accusing the government of burdening the public with steep hikes in electricity, water, and milk prices following the presentation of the state budget.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Friday, Ashoka criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly implementing guaranteed schemes on one hand while simultaneously raising the cost of essential commodities on the other. “The common man is suffering due to the increase in basic utility charges. The BJP will not remain silent we will begin our fight after Ugadi,” he declared.
Highlighting the plight of farmers, Ashoka said the government had failed to release the promised milk subsidy. “Farmers never demanded a milk price hike. The previous BJP government paid the arrears that the Congress had left pending. But now, the Congress is claiming to have cleared those arrears, which is false,” he claimed. He further alleged that although the government had promised to increase the milk subsidy from Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 per litre, the increase was never implemented.
Accusing Siddaramaiah of mismanaging state finances, Ashoka claimed that the Chief Minister alone was responsible for 65 percent of the state's total loan burden among all past CMs. “He has presented a budget full of misleading data. Prices are being increased like a festival gift. Even ward fees in government hospitals have gone up,” he said, branding the capital as “Expensive Bengaluru” instead of “Brand Bengaluru.”
In a stinging analogy, Ashoka said the government had “brought the state to a wheelchair” in the last 20 months. “The government is giving Rs. 2,000 and taking it back in other forms. People are being thrown from the frying pan into the fire. What face will they show to claim success after two years of such governance?” he questioned. He also accused the government of collecting 40 to 60 percent commission from contractors.
Responding to Upper House Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy’s remarks that BJP MLAs S.T. Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar might be expelled, Ashoka said that such decisions lie with the central leadership. “Our focus should be on fighting the Congress together. The party is like our mother no one should speak against it,” he added.
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Government should immediately start decadal census, caste census: Mallikarjun Kharge in RS
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asked the government to immediately start the decadal census as well as caste census, saying a large number of people are being left out of welfare schemes due to the delay.
Expressing concern over the delay in conducting the decadal census during the Zero Hour in the House, the senior Congress leader said India has been conducting a census every 10 years since 1881.
It was conducted even during wars, emergencies, or other crises.
He recalled that back in 1931, a caste census was conducted along with the regular census.
Right before the 1931 census, Mahatma Gandhi had said that just like 'we need periodic medical checkups to assess our health, a census is the most important checkup for a nation', Kharge stated.
He said the census is a crucial exercise and involves a large number of people who collect data not just on population but also on employment, family structures, socio-economic conditions, and several other key aspects.
Even during major events like World War II and the India-Pakistan war of 1971-72, the census was conducted.
"But it is unfortunate that for the first time in history, the government has made a record delay (in conducting census)", he said.
Kharge further said that along with the general census, a caste census is also possible because the government already collects data on Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), so it could collect data on other castes as well.
"But the government is silent on both the census and caste census," he said.
He noted that 81 percent of the countries in the world have successfully completed censuses despite Covid.
He said no clear statement is being made by the government regarding census in India.
Kharge said this year's budget has allocated only Rs 575 crore for the census which shows the government is unwilling to conduct it, Kharge said, and added delaying the census has serious consequences.
Without accurate and updated data, policies become arbitrary and ineffective.
He said several crucial surveys and welfare programs — such as the Consumer Survey, National Family Health Survey, Periodic Labour Force Survey, National Food Security Act, and National Social Assistance Programme — rely on census data.
Due to the delay in the census, a large number of people are being left out of welfare schemes.
Policymakers are making decisions without reliable and up-to-date data.
"Thus, I urge the government to immediately start the decadal census. Caste census and census should be conducted at the earliest," the senior Congress leader said.
