Bharat Bandh against farm laws impacts life in parts of Karnataka
Bengaluru, Dec 8: Normal life was affected in parts of Karnataka as farmers and workers hit the roads on Tuesday as part of nation-wide Bharat bandh called by various unions and political parties protesting the farm and labour laws recently introduced by the Centre.
Many organisations in the state have come in support of the bandh called by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene (Green Brigade) against the agri laws passed by the central government allowing anyone from any part of the country to purchase the agriculture produce.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa termed the strike as a 'failure'.
In the state, the farmers are also protesting the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act allowing anyone to purchase agriculture land directly from the farmers.
Earlier, people from the agriculture background were allowed to purchase farmland.
The protesters alleged that these laws would lead to hoarding and turning the agriculture industry into a real estate sector.
Many trade unions too have joined hands with the farmers to protest the reforms in labour laws, claiming that it was against their interest.
Besides the Indian National Congress, left parties such as CPI, CPI(M) and their allied organisations too have extended their support to the stir.
Some pro-Kannada organisations such as Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha of Vatal Nagaraj too backed the shutdown.
As rallies, demonstrations and sit-in protests marked the day in urban areas, shops remained shut, city buses came to a halt and there was less vehicular movement.
Demonstrations, rallies and protest marches took place in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Raichur, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Bidar, Vijayapura, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar, Koppal, Kolar, Chikkaballapura and other places.
While most of the shops remained shut, in some places the shopkeepers tried to commence their business of the day.
However, the protesters appealed to them to keep their establishments shut in support of the farmers, which they obliged.
In certain areas, the agitators forced the shopkeepers to keep their shops closed.
In the state capital, the demonstrations took place at the Town Hall and the Mysuru Bank Circle.
The Congress leaders led by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar and former minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan staged a sit-in in the city near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Mourya circle.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Congress state unit chief Shivakumar claimed that the bandh has been a 'success' despite the government's attempt to thwart it using force.
"We are supporting this movement because the government wants to make the farmer slaves through these farming laws," he alleged.
Siddaramaiah accused the government of 'failing' to address the concerns of the farmers.
In view of the protest, police diverted the traffic leading to the Kempe Gowda road here. Passengers had a harrowing time as buses did not ply from Majestic, the Central bus terminus and were left stranded.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar said demonstrations have been taking place all over the state where the important roads and highways have been blocked, shops have been shut and business has come to a halt.
"We will block the highways. We have requested everyone to support us because the Centre and the state are going against the farming community," he told the media in Bengaluru.
He added that the farmers under the banner of his organisation planned to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday.
In Mysuru, the ever bustling Devaraj Market and Ashok Road wore a deserted look as demonstrators forced the shopkeepers to keep the shops shut.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yediyurappa termed the strike as a 'failure' across the country. "It is not appropriate to organise a bandh for political gains. Already the bandh has failed across India as no one is supporting it," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
Underlining that the BJP governments at the Centre and state are 'pro-farmer' and took decisions in favour of the agrarian community, Yediyurappa appealed to people not to heed to the bandh call and continue their business as usual.
In the wake of Bandh, adequate security measures were taken in places across the state where the demonstrations were like.
According to police sources, about 125 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), 5,000 home guards, Central Armed Reserve (CAR) and District Armed Reserve (DAR) platoons have been deployed.
The Superintendents of Police have been entrusted with the responsibility of bandobast in their respective districts.
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
