Anna Bhagya scheme introduced to alleviate starvation: Ex-CM Siddaramaiah
“I don’t worry about defeat, but it’s haunting me”
Mysuru, June 12: “I don’t worry about the defeat. But it is haunting me as to why I was defeated despite so much of development works”, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking at a thanks giving programme for the voters of the Varuna Assembly constituency here on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said that “I don’t worry about the defeat. Victory and defeat is common in democracy. I would accept both defeat and victory equally. But I could not understand as to why people have not accepted me despite achieving development in many sectors. They might have considered the small issues. But I am contended for what I have given for the financial empowerment of the poor, dalits, backward classes and farmers”, he said.
“What mentality I had when I started my political career, the same mentality I had when I was the Chief Minister. Till now, I have the same mentality. In my 40 years political career, I have seen both defeat and victory. I have said I would not contest the election again. But I would work for my supporters and followers”, he said.
“I accept the people’s verdict. The people had defeated Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi. When look at the history, good people face difficult situation. People of the state are like our family. People have false propaganda against me as I am anti-Hindu and have divided Lingayat community. I have never divided the Lingayat community. Basavanna had called Lingayat as a separate religion around 800 years ago. I have just recommended it to the centre. I am not against any caste. But I have belief in human relationship and humanity. Even then, I was targeted”, he said.
“I have introduced an ambitious programme like Anna Bhagya with a concept of making Karnataka hunger-free to ensure that no person should sleep without food. Anna Bhagya, Manasvini, Mythri, Krishi Bhagya, waiver off farm loans, Vidya Siri, nutritious food for pregnant women, Ksheera Bhagya, free education for girl children from primary education to higher education, laptops, free bus pass, 50 per cent reservation for SC/ST in contracts and other programmes were introduced. I have tried to empower SC/ST communities financially. I have not done all these for votes. I have done this for the welfare of the people”, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks as ‘Bhaiyo aur behno’. Yeddyurappa and Shobha Karandlaje bring food from hotels and have it in the houses of dalits saying that ‘BJP nadige Dalitara Mane Kadege’. As to why the BJP, who claim that the ration for the Anna Bhagya is being given from the Centre, has not introduced Anna Bhagya in BJP ruling states like Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states? It was his dream. So, he had introduced it in Karnataka, he said.
BJP people are bluffs. They do not want development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come to state and lied. Amith Shah did the same. People did not give clear mandate to any political party. Though BJP has emerged as the single largest party, the Congress has got more per cent of vote sharing. BJP has got more seats, but less votes. But the Congress got more votes and less seats. This is the beauty of the democracy, the former chief minister analysed.
The BJP bite the dust in the by-elections held in other parts of the country. In 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Congress would get majority and Rahul Gandhi would become the Prime Minister, he exuded confidence.
I’m indebted to Varuna constituency people
“Voters of Varuna constituency have elected Dr Yatindra Siddaramaiah with a huge margin of 58,000 votes. Thank you for your concerns. I have cleared some of your obligation. But now, it is increased again. My son and I would serve you people forever”, he said.
People force to become PM
The people gathered there were seen shouting throughout the programme that Siddaramaiah should contest the Lok Sabha election and become the Prime Minister.
Varuna MLA Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah presided over the programme in which Minister Puttaranga Shetty, MP Druvanarayan, MLCs R Dharmasena and Ivan D’Souza, former MLA MK Somashekar and others were present.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
