Govt to set up Kempegowda Skills Development varsity to eradicate unemployment: CM
Bengaluru, June 27: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the government has planned to set up Kempegowda Skills Development University to eradicate unemployment problem in the state.
Speaking at the Kempe Gowda Jayanti programme organized by the Kannada and Culture department at the Palace Ground here on Wednesday, the CM said that the unemployment problem is increasing considerably in the state. To find a permanent solution for the problem, and to protect the name of Kempe Gowda permanently, the government has planned to establish the Skills Development University and it was his dream, he said.
Bengaluru city is competing not only with the country but also with the world. The city was named in the list of the noted cities of the world. Moreover, people were coming forward to invest in the city. It happened because of the strong foundation laid by Kempe Gowda. It is the duty of every individual in the city to remember his contributions, he said.
This world famous city was a dwelling place for all communities irrespective of castes, religions, creeds, languages and cultures. When Bengaluru was built, Kempegowda had ensured social justice to all communities and developed various layouts. But now, the political interference in all issues has been creating various social problems in the city. Thousands of families do not have their own houses. In future, Bengaluru would face acute drinking water shortage and basic infrastructure problem. It was the duty of the government to provide all facilities to the people. He would complete that task during his tenure, he exuded confidence.
Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar said that Kempe Gowda was not belonged to any one particular community. Instead he belonged to entire state. He should be introduced to the next generation also. So, a university should be named after him and he should be introduced in the textbook. It would be a failure of a government if the person who built the city was not remembered. So, Kempegowda Jayanti was not related to any particular community. It was a state event. So, it should not be celebrated limited to only Bengaluru. Moreover, Bengaluru city is not the property of those who live here. It is the property of the entire state, he said.
Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and Jayamala, Nirmalananda Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Nanjavadutha Swamiji of Spatikapuri Mutt, Kumara Chandrashekara Swamiji of Okkaliga Mahasamsthana, mayor Sampath Raj, deputy mayor Manjula Narayan Swamy, former mayor Padmavathi, MLA Somashekar, Okkalinga Sangha president Bette Gowda and others were present.
‘Won’t tolerate if govt is troubled’
The Central Government should cooperate positively to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to give a stable government in the state. It should give what it should give as a matter of right. Kumaraswamy has many dreams and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should nurture them. If the government is troubled unnecessarily, the community would not tolerate it and would teach them a lesson, said Nanjavadutha Swamiji of Spatikapuri Mahasamsthana Mutt.
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.
Maharashtra government considers tweaks to Ladki Bahin scheme amid fiscal strain: Reports
Mumbai: A day after the Mahayuti coalition secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, attention has turned to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that played a pivotal role in attracting women voters.
The scheme, launched in July 2024, offers ₹1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 65. The Mahayuti, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month, a promise now under scrutiny due to fiscal concerns. With the scheme projected to cost the exchequer ₹33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025, bureaucrats are exploring ways to revise its provisions to prevent a financial imbalance.
Finance Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar hinted at the challenges, stressing the need for "financial discipline." A senior bureaucrat confirmed that plans are underway to prune the list of beneficiaries, citing the inclusion of ineligible individuals due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding and lack of required ration cards. According to the finance department, nearly one crore women out of the 2.43 crore registered beneficiaries may not qualify for the scheme.
The state’s debt burden is already projected to reach ₹7.82 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Officials warn that continuing the scheme in its current form could impact the government’s ability to pay salaries by January. Despite these concerns, the ruling coalition is hesitant to reduce the beneficiary list, likely due to the upcoming civic elections.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik is expected to present renegotiation proposals to the new chief minister soon. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde credited the scheme for increasing the number of women voters and boosting the coalition’s vote share. NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also acknowledged the scheme’s role in mobilising women voters.
Other welfare measures introduced by the government include an electricity bill waiver for farmers and three free LPG cylinders annually for six million households. However, the financial viability of such initiatives remains a pressing concern.
