BJP to launch protest post-Ugadi against state govt. over price hike of basic commodities: R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: Opposition leader R. Ashoka has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, warning that the BJP will intensify its protest after Ugadi, accusing the government of burdening the public with steep hikes in electricity, water, and milk prices following the presentation of the state budget.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Friday, Ashoka criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly implementing guaranteed schemes on one hand while simultaneously raising the cost of essential commodities on the other. “The common man is suffering due to the increase in basic utility charges. The BJP will not remain silent we will begin our fight after Ugadi,” he declared.
Highlighting the plight of farmers, Ashoka said the government had failed to release the promised milk subsidy. “Farmers never demanded a milk price hike. The previous BJP government paid the arrears that the Congress had left pending. But now, the Congress is claiming to have cleared those arrears, which is false,” he claimed. He further alleged that although the government had promised to increase the milk subsidy from Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 per litre, the increase was never implemented.
Accusing Siddaramaiah of mismanaging state finances, Ashoka claimed that the Chief Minister alone was responsible for 65 percent of the state's total loan burden among all past CMs. “He has presented a budget full of misleading data. Prices are being increased like a festival gift. Even ward fees in government hospitals have gone up,” he said, branding the capital as “Expensive Bengaluru” instead of “Brand Bengaluru.”
In a stinging analogy, Ashoka said the government had “brought the state to a wheelchair” in the last 20 months. “The government is giving Rs. 2,000 and taking it back in other forms. People are being thrown from the frying pan into the fire. What face will they show to claim success after two years of such governance?” he questioned. He also accused the government of collecting 40 to 60 percent commission from contractors.
Responding to Upper House Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy’s remarks that BJP MLAs S.T. Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar might be expelled, Ashoka said that such decisions lie with the central leadership. “Our focus should be on fighting the Congress together. The party is like our mother no one should speak against it,” he added.
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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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