Fund is from state govt, but credit goes to centre: CM Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, September 5: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the central government was taking the credits for the programmes implemented from the state government funds which will be restructured soon.
Speaking at the Teachers Day programme organized by the Federation of Teachers Associations of the Higher Education Department, Universities and Colleges at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium here on Wednesday, the CM said that a decision would be taken on how to implement such programmes after discussing with the authorities. The Central government has given just Rs 280 crore to implement central government programme ‘Ayushman Bharat’. But the state government has already spent Rs 800 crore. There were several lapses in the scheme and they should be rectified, he said.
Programmes should be introduced to help the people instead of making their names attractive. In spite of contributing majority share for the total cost of the programme, it was named as central government programme. So, he would convene a meeting of the officials shortly and take a decision, he said.
This was applying not only in Ayushman Bharat, but also in National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) being conducted to allot medical seats for the students of various states. Indirectly, the state was getting burden, he said.
As per the 1986 Education Act, total 6 per cent in the total budget and GDP of the state should be spent on education. But in the present Budget, 12 per cent of the fund was earmarked for the purpose. Model schools in New Delhi were being observed and if possible, the government would implement them in the state. The Education department was instructed to get the report on the education system in other states, he said.
It was not true that the state government was facing financial crunch due to farm loan waiver. In fact, the state government has no dearth of funds. In the coalition government, 33 per cent of revenue was increased and now, the government has around Rs 4000 crore. In order to ease the burden of loan waiver, the government would not stop any development programmes, he added.
Higher Education Minister GT Deve Gowda said that among the graduates, more than 80 per cent were becoming unemployed. Now, the education institutions and other stake-holders should think of introducing skills-based courses to make them employable, he said.
The Federation of the Teachers Associations submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding reintroducing old pension scheme, salary as per 2016 UGC norms, appointment of principals and other demands. The CM promised of fulfilling their demands. MLA Roshan Baig and others were present on the occasion.
Farm loan waiver amount to be paid by next July-August
‘All the banks were informed about making the payments of loan waiver amount in four installments. In spite of this, some banks have been asking the farmers to repay the loans. But the government would not wait till four installments. If possible, it would clear the amount by next July or August”.
-HD Kumaraswamy, CM
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
