JD(S) supported BJP to clear land Bill, says Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Dec 9: Amid accusations of a secret deal between the BJP and the JD(S) after the clearance of the "controversial" Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act-2020, JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said his party has supported the government after it agreed to withdraw some of the "dangerous" provisions in the law.
The Congress and the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha charged Kumaraswamy with striking a deal with the BJP.
The JD(S), opposed to the said amendment in the monsoon session, supported the Bill in the winter session in the Karnataka Legislative Council where it was held up after being cleared in the Assembly.
The amendment gives anyone the right to buy farmland previously restricted only to those with agricultural background.
"JD(S) has supported the government after it agreed to withdraw some of the provisions we were opposed to," Kumaraswamy told reporters in Kolar.
He explained that he and his father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda had opposed the Bill initially but after the changes were introduced in the amendment, the party supported it.
"We are the one responsible for the changes in the law.
During the previous Assembly session, the government decided to drop some of the dangerous provisions in the proposed amendment after I drew their attention to it," Kumaraswamy claimed.
The JD(S) leader said his main contention was that the government previously wanted to increase the purchasing of land in terms of unit allowing a family to purchase upto 248 acres.
On his suggestion, the government decided in the previous session to continue with the earlier provision of allowing a family to hold 10 units of land.
The way section 79-A and 79-B of the KLD (Amendment)-2020 has been misused due to which lakhs of farmers are in distress.
"I had clearly said in the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha to give up 79-A and 79-B from the KLD-2020," Kumaraswamy said.
Hitting back at those who criticised him for the "secret deal" he sought to know why they never came in his support when he waived off farm loans of Rs 25,000 of the farmers as Chief Minister of the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S) in 2018-19.
The Congress spokesperson V S Ugrappa said Kumaraswamy has adopted double standards.
"On the one hand, Kumaraswamy says his party is with the farmers and on the contrary the JD(S) sided with the BJP on the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act. It clearly indicates a deal between Kumaraswamy and the BJP," Ugrappa said.
He alleged that there was no ideology or consistency in the stand when such a crucial Bill was tabled.
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president Kodihalli Chandrashekhar sought to know how the two parties came together.
"What is your objective and your behaviour? Tell the people of the state what it is. Is it a deal, sharing of power or handing over power? Kumaraswamy is a very big deal master," Chandrashekhar said on Wednesday at the protest site as he was leading the march to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha against the two controversial farm laws passed by the Karnataka Assembly.
He said the farmers of the state know how to save the land.
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TN polls: DMK promises Rs 8,000 'Illatharasi' coupon scheme for women
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.
'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.
Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.
Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.
Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.
The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.
About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.
Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.
The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.
Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.
In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."
"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said
The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.
Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.
The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.
