Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday said the Centre has sanctioned an additional 4.68 lakh houses for the people from the economically weaker sections in Karnataka.

This is apart from the 2.57 lakh houses sanctioned by the Centre originally, Chauhan, who holds rural development, agriculture and farmers' Welfare portfolio, told reporters here.

The Minister said he had a meeting with Karnataka rural development, revenue and agriculture ministers this morning.

After Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the third term, he sanctioned 2.57 lakh houses in September as part of his commitment to provide a 'Pucca' house for every poor family of the state and released grants for it, he said.

"Now we have decided to increase the target and, in all, we have sanctioned 4.68 lakh additional houses. For BJP, serving poor is the worship of God," the Minister said.

Chauhan appealed to the Karnataka government to complete the housing project at the earliest. Under the Border Area Development Scheme Rs 97 crore will be released for Karnataka, the Minister said adding that the Centre also agreed to release additional grants for the mechanization scheme in the agriculture department.

The Centre has also sanctioned additional staff under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme.

Chauhan said, "I appeal to the state government to utilise these funds on time and send us the Utilisation Certificate."

When asked about Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegation about unjust and unequal distribution of funds by the Centre, he said, "I have brought funds to Karnataka. There are two types of politics. One is the politics of blame game and second is politics of development and public welfare. The BJP believes in the second one."

 

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Raichur: The priest of the Ambabhavani Temple in Athkur village has been accused of stopping Dalit youngsters from entering the temple for a ritual related the Navaratri festival, although related parties, including the priest and Dalit leaders of the village, have denied knowledge about the incident.

A video of the youngsters, belonging to the Madiga community, who wanted to wear the ritual garlands for the festive period, being denied entry into the temple and the priest handing them the garlands keeping them outside the threshold has gone viral on social media platforms.

Yapaladinni Police officers, however, have said no police complaint about the matter has been filed so far. In addition, Dalit leaders in Athkur have said no such incident has occurred in the village, but the police officers are conducting an inquiry since youngsters have alleged that they were denied entry into the temple.

The temple priest has also refuted the charges against him, clarifying that action will be taken if a complaint is filed.