UT Khader slams Bommai's budget, terms it "reverse gear budget"
Mangaluru: Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader on Saturday termed the CM Bommai’s annual budget as “Reverse gear budget” adding that it will take the economy of the state backward.
Speaking at the press meet today, U T Khader slammed Bommai for his "hit and run" budget and said that the government's sole revenue comes from its debts and liquor industry.
"With the enormous debt of Rs. 72 thousand crores, an approximation of Rs 29 thousand crores of revenue is collected from excise duty. As much as 1.01 lakh crore of revenue is generated from debt and liquor", he pointed out.
"No investor is likely to come up when the government itself functions on revenue deficits", he added.
Acknowledging CM's expertise in the field of irrigation, he highlighted the Karnataka Irrigation Department's debt of Rs17 thousand crore, wherein an amount of Rs 26 thousand crores is issued in the budget and argued whether a mere sum of Rs 9 lakh crore is enough to actualize the department's initiatives.
He appreciated the government's move in allocating Rs 5lakh crore for the Krishna Meldande Project and said that the amount of Rs 1 thousand crore, set aside for Mekedaatu and Mahadayi projects are the fruits of the labors of several activists and protestors.
Pointing out the government's indifference with regard to uplifting those who are severely affected by Covid-19, he said "the current budget has disregarded the needs of the working class and the destitute", and added that "the government has failed to keep up its promise regarding the construction of 5 lakh homes for the labor class. Until now, not a single house has been built. When the Congress government was in power, as much as 1 lakh houses were built in the course of 1 year".
He criticized the government's decision to build Narayana Guru Residential Schools while noting its recent rejection of Narayana Guru Tableau.
He underscored CM's negligence regarding the needs of the people of Coastal Karnataka and said that no focus has been given to the fishermen, areca nut growers, and others.
"What is the use of allotting money for 100 container ships, while the government has failed to give money to build homes for our fishermen?" he questioned.
"The government is politically, economically disabled", he said.
Further, he advised the government to first work on social and communal harmony, before venturing into economic reforms.
Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, Mamata Gatty, Shahul Hameed, J A Bava, Sadashiva Ullal, Yusuf Sharif, Ishwara Ullal, Alwyn, Mustafa, and others were present during the press meet.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
