Fund is from state govt, but credit goes to centre: CM Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, September 5: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the central government was taking the credits for the programmes implemented from the state government funds which will be restructured soon.
Speaking at the Teachers Day programme organized by the Federation of Teachers Associations of the Higher Education Department, Universities and Colleges at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium here on Wednesday, the CM said that a decision would be taken on how to implement such programmes after discussing with the authorities. The Central government has given just Rs 280 crore to implement central government programme ‘Ayushman Bharat’. But the state government has already spent Rs 800 crore. There were several lapses in the scheme and they should be rectified, he said.
Programmes should be introduced to help the people instead of making their names attractive. In spite of contributing majority share for the total cost of the programme, it was named as central government programme. So, he would convene a meeting of the officials shortly and take a decision, he said.
This was applying not only in Ayushman Bharat, but also in National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) being conducted to allot medical seats for the students of various states. Indirectly, the state was getting burden, he said.
As per the 1986 Education Act, total 6 per cent in the total budget and GDP of the state should be spent on education. But in the present Budget, 12 per cent of the fund was earmarked for the purpose. Model schools in New Delhi were being observed and if possible, the government would implement them in the state. The Education department was instructed to get the report on the education system in other states, he said.
It was not true that the state government was facing financial crunch due to farm loan waiver. In fact, the state government has no dearth of funds. In the coalition government, 33 per cent of revenue was increased and now, the government has around Rs 4000 crore. In order to ease the burden of loan waiver, the government would not stop any development programmes, he added.
Higher Education Minister GT Deve Gowda said that among the graduates, more than 80 per cent were becoming unemployed. Now, the education institutions and other stake-holders should think of introducing skills-based courses to make them employable, he said.
The Federation of the Teachers Associations submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding reintroducing old pension scheme, salary as per 2016 UGC norms, appointment of principals and other demands. The CM promised of fulfilling their demands. MLA Roshan Baig and others were present on the occasion.
Farm loan waiver amount to be paid by next July-August
‘All the banks were informed about making the payments of loan waiver amount in four installments. In spite of this, some banks have been asking the farmers to repay the loans. But the government would not wait till four installments. If possible, it would clear the amount by next July or August”.
-HD Kumaraswamy, CM
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Chhattisgarh: 18 school students hospitalised; locals blame nearby cement plants
Balodabazar (Chhattisgarh), Jan 22 (PTI): At least 18 students of a government school were hospitalised on Wednesday after they complained of uneasiness in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, with locals blaming nearby cement plants for causing pollution, officials said.
While officials said the exact reason behind the situation was yet to be ascertained, the authorities shut down the Alternate Fuel Resources (AFR) centre at one cement plant in the area over the alleged violation of green norms. The company said it has launched an internal probe.
At least 18 students of Government Higher Secondary Girls School at Khapradih village complained of uneasiness and drowsiness following which they were shifted to the Community Health Centre in nearby Suhela, Balodabazar-Bhatapara Collector Dipak Soni told PTI.
Later, six of them were referred to different facilities, including the district hospital, he said.
Their condition was reported to be stable, he said.
Complaints were received about pollution at AFR centre of Shree Cement plant located near the school following which an inspection was carried out on the factory premises, the official said.
Prima facie, violation of anti-pollution norms was found in its operation, which involved the use of chemicals for decomposition of materials for producing fuel, the official said.
A foul smell emanating from the AFR area might have caused uneasiness among students, he said.
Officials from the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board and the Industrial Health and Safety and Labour Department have launched an investigation in the area to ascertain the exact cause behind the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel claimed the students fell ill after gas leakage from two factories located near the school.
“Honourable Chief Minister ji! If you have woken up from slumber, take care of the fainting school children. Very frightening news is coming from Balodabazar. The scene is so horrifying that I cannot share it here, Baghel said in a post on X, tagging CM Vishnu Deo Sai and the CM's office.
“Due to gas leakage near Khapradih School in Suhela, the health of more than 40 children has suddenly deteriorated. Some children have fainted and some have been facing trouble in breathing. The condition of two children was critical. The rest of the children have been admitted to the hospital,” he claimed.
Students have been falling ill in the school for three consecutive days and the locals have repeatedly complained to the administration, which he said is “asleep”.
“The villagers say two big (cement) plants near the school are causing the pollution. Gas leakage is causing adverse effects on children. The smoke, chemicals and pollutants from the plants are polluting the air and affecting the children's health,” he alleged.
The management of Shree Cement said it has launched an internal probe into the matter and that it was committed to the health and well-being of nearby residents, workmen and their families.
“Shree Cement is deeply concerned about the health and well-being of the students who require medical attention and assures full support in providing necessary medical facilities. We are committed to the health and well-being of the community and take such matters with the utmost seriousness,” the plant management said in a statement.
The company strictly adheres to all statutory approvals and environmental norms, and as part of its sustainability efforts, it co-processes hazardous waste from nearby plants as an alternative fuel, “ensuring its safe disposal and preventing harm to the environment”, the statement said.
“We are also investigating this matter internally, and assure you that the health of the nearby residents, our workmen and their families remain our highest priority, and we are committed to taking all necessary actions to uphold this responsibility,” it added.
माननीय मुख्यमंत्री जी! नींद से जाग गए हों तो बेहोश होते स्कूल के बच्चों की सुध ले लीजिए. @vishnudsai @ChhattisgarhCMO
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) January 22, 2025
बलौदाबाजार से बेहद भयावह खबर सामने आ रही है.
दृश्य इतने भयावाह है कि मैं यहाँ साझा नहीं कर सकता.
सुहेला स्थित खपराडीह स्कूल के पास गैस के रिसाव से 40 से अधिक…
🚨भयावह दृश्य
— Ayush Pandey🇮🇳 (@ayushconnects) January 22, 2025
छत्तीसगढ़ के बलौदाबाज़ार में सुहेला स्थित खपराहडीह स्कूल में बच्चे बेहोश
🔺2 की हालत गम्भीर, लगभग 40 अस्पताल में
🔺कुछ बेहोश, साँस दिक्कत
🔺स्कूल के पास संयंत्र से गैस रिसाव की खबर
🔺लगातार तीन दिन से हो रहे थे बच्चे बेहोश, शिकायत पर भी नहीं जागा प्रशासन pic.twitter.com/ImJMZooIgx
