BJP gets Karnataka Land Reforms Amendment Act passed in the legislative council with JD(S) support
Bengaluru, Dec 8: The ruling BJP in Karnataka received a shot in the arm when its Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act- 2020 got cleared in the Legislative Council with the support of the JD(S) on Tuesday.
The new law gives rights to any individual to purchase agricultural land, which was previously restricted only to those with an agricultural background.
The development took place on a day various farmers and trade union bodies were staging demonstrations across the state in line with the 'Bharat Bandh' to oppose the farm laws.
The JD(S) which had opposed the amendment came in support of the BJP and got the bill cleared in the council.
The bill could not see the light of the day in the Monsoon session of the Karnataka Legislature as both Congress and the JD(S) had opposed it.
Announcing the bill approved by the council as well, speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said in the Assembly, "In the message received from the Karnataka Legislative Council chairman, the Karnataka Land Reform (Amendment) Act 2020 has been approved by the council under section 119 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Karnataka Legislative Council."
The JD(S) MLC H M Ramesh Gowda confirmed that the bill was cleared in the council with the support of the JD(S) members.
The bill was crucial for the BJP which had been pitching for it.
The party got it cleared in the Assembly where it has majority but failed last time for want of numbers in the council despite being the single largest party there.
In the 75-member council, the BJP has 31 members, Congress 28 and JD(S)14 besides an independent and chairman.
The JD(S) second-in-command and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had hinted a few days ago that he lost the goodwill he had earned when he had formed a government with the BJP in 2006-07 by joining hands with the Congress to form a coalition government in 2018-19.
Congress and the various farmers' associations had opposed the bill as they felt it gives the rich the right to purchase agriculture for investment and real estate purposes.
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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.
