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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“Full prepared..going to win,” Congress MP KC Venugopal ahead of Kerala polls
EC not functioning as a neutral institution: Venugopal
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal on Monday raised concerns over the election schedule announced by the Election Commission of India for the upcoming Kerala Assembly election, questioning the timing of the poll dates and alleging that the schedule leaves limited time for campaigning.
Speaking to news agency ANI in Delhi after the poll panel announced elections in five states and Union Territories, Venugopal said that the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are fully prepared for the elections and confident of victory. At the same time, he questioned the pattern of dates announced by the Election Commission.
“We are fully prepared, we are going to win the elections... You can see how the Election Commission has set the dates. The first phase of elections is on the 9th, nominations are due until the 23rd, scrutiny is on the 24th, nominations can be withdrawn until the 26th, and after that, there are 11 days for campaigning,” he said.
“As for Kerala, there is Easter and Good Friday in the first week...The Election Commission could have announced the dates earlier... The counting date is on May 4th, so what was the point of holding elections in Kerala so early? What is their intention behind holding elections on the same day in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam?... We are confident that we will win, but the people of the country are seeing the biased attitude of the Election Commission...,” he added.
He further stated that his party was ready for elections irrespective of the dates announced by the poll body.
“We are going to win the election. India's strategy has been set up. And we are all ready for winning this election. But one thing as far as declaring election, even though they are giving only for five days, we are going to win the election. We have no problem,” he said.
Detailing the poll schedule while questioning the time available for campaigning, he stated, “but you can see the pattern of date which the election commission announced. Yesterday they declared election, and today they notified us. The first phase of election on April 9th, filing of nomination will be over on the 23rd of this month, 24th scrutiny, 26th withdrawal of nomination. After 26, four plus seven, 11 days campaign.”
“As far as Kerala is concerned, April first week is a holy week. The holiday week means, Good Friday is there. Nobody will do anything on Good Friday. Easter is the big festival. These festivals are natural, you have to see that. Among the 11 days, working days, two, three days will go for holidays. Then hardly seven, eight days for campaigning in this election for candidates,” the Congress MP questioned.
The Congress leader said the Election Commission could have announced the dates earlier if there was a need for an early election schedule.
Questioning the urgency behind placing Kerala in the first phase of polling, he added that the counting date is much later.
“Which is the date of counting? Fourth May. Then what is the urgency of putting Kerala in the first phase without giving sufficient time for candidates? And putting Kerala, Puducherry, Assam together, what is the intention behind that?” Venugopal questioned.
He also alleged that the Election Commission was not functioning as a neutral institution.
“The Election commission is completely losing that capacity as a neutral player. You can see 14 of our prime minister's programs over and on the 15th they announce the election, 16th notification comes,” he said.
Venugopal further stated that such tactics would not affect the Congress’ prospects in the election.
“They think that this type of techniques and tactics, because of these techniques and tactics, UDF is going to lose, and Congress is going to lose. This is their complete dream only. This is not going to happen. We are very much confident at any cost, whether they are not giving any time also, we are going to win the election,” he said.
“But the people of India are watching this. The tricks of the election commission. To restrict the campaign, people of India are watching. This I want to bring into the notice of the nation. That's all,” Venugopal said.
The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for the Kerala Assembly election. Polling in the state will be held in a single phase on April 9 while the counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.
