"How does PM travel?": CM Siddaramaiah asks BJP, on being criticized for using luxury jet
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah snapped back at the BJP for its criticism following the sharing of a video of him and two of his Cabinet ministers journeying in a chartered flight to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the Opposition party how the PM travels.
The CM had met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on December 19 to ask the Central government to release drought relief funds for Karnataka. He was accompanied by Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda during the visit.
With the video that shows Siddaramaiah, Khan and Gowda traveling in the private jet going viral on social media, the Karnataka Congress is being severely criticized by the BJP for using such luxury facilities although the state was struggling to cope with drought.
ALSO READ: Video of Karnataka CM in luxury jet goes viral, draws sharp reaction from BJP
As he returned from New Delhi, Siddaramaiah was thronged by reporters, who also questioned him about his mode of transport.
Calling the BJP comment and criticism silly, the CM retorted, "Ask the BJP how Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels? Why does he travel alone?"
VIDEO | "How does Narendra Modi travel? You tell me first. Please ask this question to the BJP people – which plane Narendra Modi travels in? He travels alone. Why does he travel alone? BJP leaders will keep saying something silly," says Karnataka CM @siddaramaiah when asked… pic.twitter.com/VPxBqZqNxk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 22, 2023
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KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
