Bihar's free electricity promise is 'Karnataka model': DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru Jul 17 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's promise of free electricity up to 125 units is a "Karnataka model".
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar claimed that in the entire country, only the Congress party has stood for the welfare of the people.
"After independence till today, whenever Congress party is in power, either in the Centre or in the state, it has given various schemes," he said.
He said it was Karnataka that started the trend with five guarantees. Congress does this for the development of the people.
"But to come to power again, they (BJP) have also used this in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and other parts of the country," he said.
The Deputy CM said whatever Congress party has given in Karnataka, the entire country is following. "So, it is a Karnataka model to the country."
The Congress government's five guarantee schemes are —200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), the additional 5 kg of rice to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years (Yuva Nidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).
In a major populist move ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced free power up to 125 units to all domestic consumers in the state.
Kumar came up with the announcement on social media, stating that the benefit will reach 1.67 crore households.
He also said the free power benefit will be effective from August 1.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
