Bengaluru, Jul 3: Expressing serious concern over corruption, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday said it has become almost institutionalised, and the Karnataka government would take administrative and legislative measures to meet the challenge and eradicate it.

In his address to the joint session of both Houses of the State Legislature, he also said in the next five years, the state government would place emphasis on a people-centric economy.

"Karnataka, which stood tall and contributed immensely to the country, has landed into a state of distress. Bringing out Karnataka from economic distress shall be the priority (of the new Congress government)," Gehlot said.

Noting that narrow minds create divisions and differences between different communities, and the remnants of such a mindset still survive at various levels in the society, the Governor said the government would take all the steps to build a peaceful and loving society.

Gehlot said corruption has become so entrenched in our system that for many reasons it has become almost institutionalised.

ALSO READ: Ashok Pattan, Saleem Ahmed appointed Congress Chief Whips in Karnataka Assembly, Council

"Eradicating it is a major challenge. I seek your cooperation to meet this challenge and root out corruption. The government will take all necessary administrative and legislative measures in this regard", he added.

The Governor said under the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, the additional five kg rice allotment of the state government would be given in the form of Direct Benefit Transfer of money at Rs 34 per kg per person directly into the bank accounts of the poor families each month.
This arrangement will continue until the quantum of rice for the additional five kg rice to all the poor households is tied up, he said, adding that the state government would make the state hunger-free through 'Anna Bhagya' scheme and 'Indira Canteens'.

All the latest news from Karnataka, just one click away. CLICK here to read all the important news from Karnataka in a single click.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The iconic Taj Mahal in Agra earned the "highest income" through the sale of tickets among the ASI-protected monuments from FY19-20 to FY23-24, according to data shared by the government.

Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the data in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha.

He was asked the amount that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has received from selling entry tickets to various monuments in the last five years, year-wise and monument-wise; and the monuments that have received the highest income through selling entry tickets in the last five years.

In his response, the minister shared the data in a tabular form for cycles of financial years ranging from FY19-20 to FY23-24.

According to the data, Taj Mahal earned the top slot for all five years.

The Mughal-era architectural wonder was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jehan in the 17th century and it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

In FY19-20, the Agra Fort in Agra and Qutub Minar in Delhi were in the second and third positions.

In FY20-21, the Group of Monuments Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu and Sun Temple, Konark were in the second and third positions. In FY23-24, Qutub Minar and Red Fort of Delhi were in the second and third positions.