Parameshwara rules out internal differences in Congress in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Ruling out any internal differences in the ruling Congress in Karnataka, senior party leader and Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said there may be certain minor differences of opinion, but there are no major issues or confusions within.
He also said that his absence in Delhi where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and several senior Ministers are camping and plan to meet party high command, is not because of any disgruntlement. Even though he agreed he was not invited to Karnataka Bhavan inauguration in Delhi, he said it is not too important to attend it.
"Where is the internal difference? I myself don't know. You (media) may be creating certain things and speaking. There is no difference among us. Congress is in power and we are running the administration and are implementing programmes," Parameshwara said.
Responding to a question whether there will be an end to internal differences in the Congress with the Chief Minister meeting party senior leader Rahul Gandhi and other central leaders in Delhi, he further said, "There may be minor difference of opinion, it will naturally be there, but it cannot be called an issue or confusion."
CM Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi early on Thursday.
The meeting is seen as a significant one in the backdrop of power tussle in the ruling Congress and speculations about the change in Chief Minister's post later this year. Shivakumar and Parameshwara are seen as the major contenders for the post.
Party sources said that issues like demand to replace Shivakumar from the post of state congress chief, honey-trap attempts as alleged by Minister K N Rajanna might have taken up for discussion as well.
Responding to a question on speculations within the party including the one about changing state Congress President, Parameshwara, who held the post in the past said, "Some want change, some want the same person to continue. It was the same thing when I held the post and when my first term ended, high command called all the state leaders and spoke to them, and then I was asked to continue."
Deputy CM Shivakumar is currently on an extension in the KPCC President post.
Asked whether his opinion has been sought by AICC regarding the developments in the state unit and nominations for vacant MLC posts, the Home Minister said, no one has sought any opinion and there has been no discussion in this regard.
"My opinion is not important, with the passage of time things keep changing. With the flow of fresh water, old water has to flow forward. You interpret however you want," he said when reporters tried to elicit his response on whether his opinion is being considered by the party while making decisions.
Parameshwara said he was not invited for the inauguration of the reconstructed Karnataka Bhavan building -1 'Cauvery' on Wednesday evening, but ruled out any disgruntlement.
Noting that he was the one who had laid the foundation for the Karnataka Bhavan, as the then Deputy Chief Minister, he said, "I don't know, no one has invited me. How to go to the event in Delhi without any invite? So I did not go..."
He however also said that he did not find the event to be that important for him to attend. "Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and PWD Minister were already there and I don't feel that I too should be there. I felt it was not necessary to attend."
Rejecting any difference with Shivakumar as the reason for skipping the event in Delhi and Siddaganga Math event in Tumakuru, he said, "I can even now go to his house immediately if needed. We don't have any such things, we are very good friends."
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BBMP has earmarked Rs 730 cr for welfare of sanitation workers: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Apr 7 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) earmarked Rs 730 crore for the welfare of pourakarmikas (sanitation workers).
Addressing a convention of pourakarmikas from city corporations, town municipalities, and other local bodies, he said, "We have announced Rs 500 crore in this budget for the salaries of pourakarmikas, Rs 107 crore for pensions, and a pension of Rs 6,000 for the family of a pourakarmika in the event of death. The total welfare outlay amounts to Rs 730 crore."
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said Rs 5 crore has been allocated for protective gear, including shoes and gloves.
"Rs 6 crore has been allocated to reimburse education fees, Rs 4 crore for healthcare, Rs 5 crore for skill development, and Rs 10 crore for auto and taxi drivers," he said.
According to Shivakumar, a total of Rs 64 crore has been earmarked for various welfare initiatives.
He added that the Congress government is committed to bringing positive change in the lives of pourakarmikas.
Their salaries will go up to Rs 50,000 once their employment is regularised, he said.
"We are also pourakarmikas in a way, as we keep our houses clean. It’s just that you keep the cities clean while we keep our houses clean. There was a proposal to issue recruitment letters today, but it will be done by May 1 as a few matters are still pending. I have also suggested this to the Chief Minister," Shivakumar added.
The issue of drivers and loaders has also been brought up—we will look into their demands too, he said.
Shivakumar added that he would hold a separate meeting to address complaints regarding the harassment of sanitation workers by officials.
"There are reports that some officials have been harassing pourakarmikas regarding regularisation. Don’t pay anyone any money. If someone demands it, give me a written complaint. We will hold a separate meeting to resolve these issues," he said.
Highlighting that the Congress government has launched several schemes to ensure equality, he stressed the need to uphold the dignity of labour, stating that all human beings are equal.
"The Congress government has launched many schemes to ensure equality. I wish for your children to become doctors and engineers," Shivakumar said.
"During our previous term from 2013 to 2018, we launched several schemes for pourakarmikas, including sending 1,000 of them abroad. In 2017, our government appointed 10,000 pourakarmikas and built 7.5 lakh houses for them," he added.
Shivakumar also recalled that during the Covid-induced pandemic, even when family members were avoiding contact with each other, pourakarmikas continued to keep the cities clean.
Quoting 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, the Deputy Chief Minister said that one must remain clean both inwardly and outwardly.
