Karnataka development model studied by economists, universities worldwide: Governor Gehlot
Bengaluru, Mar 3 (PTI): Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday said the state government is developing a unique model of Karnataka in development, one that is being studied by economists and universities worldwide.
Addressing the joint session of the state legislature at Vidhana Soudha here, he emphasised that the Karnataka model of development focuses on building a people-centered approach to economic, social, and cultural governance.
Through the Governor's customary speech, the government has tried to defend its welfare schemes, financial position, and also said that there is no serious law and order problem in the state; the very issues on which the opposition has been critical of the government.
Opposition BJP criticised the Governor's address as a "pure lie". It said the development has come to a "standstill" in Karnataka, but the address prepared by the government says that the state is on the path of progress.
The Governor said, "....the Government is shaping a unique model of Karnataka in development.The Karnataka model of development means creating a people-centric economic, social and cultural governance. Green energy, women empowerment, etc. are also included in this."
Pointing out that the Karnataka model is being extensively studied by global experts, the Governor said, "Oxford University has described this model as 'Shining a Light in the Darkness' and 'A BluePrint for the World' in its Human Rights Hub blog. The head of the United Nations has personally visited the state to learn about this model and openly praised our programmes."
Defending the guarantee schemes, Gehlot said many predicted that Karnataka would lag behind in development and the financial system of the state would deteriorate due to the ambitious welfare schemes launched by the government. "The government has proven these predictions to be false," he asserted.
Noting that the state has recorded good achievements in every sector, the Governor said that Karnataka's income is increasing, and private capital is flowing into the state in record numbers.
The severity of inequality is decreasing due to the efficient implementation of welfare programmes, he said. "The state is second in foreign direct investment. The growth rate of GST is good."
He also pointed out that the number of suicides among farmer families in the state has reduced significantly due to the welfare programmes of the government.
The Governor noted that our elders, through Babasaheb Ambedkar, have given this country a very humane Constitution to ensure that society does not go towards Social Darwinism. The Constitution mandates the reduction of inequality and a fair distribution of income among the people.
"In this regard, guarantee schemes have been implemented. Resources of more than Rs 52,000 crore are being provided for this annually. Rs 70,000 crore have been transferred directly to the bank accounts of the people for 5 guarantee schemes from the time my government has come to power," he said.
Gehlot highlighted that more than Rs 90,000 crore is being spent annually on welfare programmes, benefiting more than 1.25 crore families through direct cash transfer schemes, subsidies and incentives provided by various departments.
In his speech, the Governor emphasised that comprehensive and effective efforts are being made to transform Karnataka into a USD 1 trillion economy, focusing on healthcare, education, sanitation and sustainable agriculture for the people.
The government has managed the state well fiscally by promoting the economic growth in 2024-25. The state's revenue collection in the first three quarters of the financial year 2024-25 has reached Rs 1,81,908 crore, he said.
Compared to the previous year, the state's revenue receipts have grown by 13 per cent till the end of December. "Karnataka is the 2nd largest state in the country in terms of total GST tax collected by the states, and the State's GST collection has grown by 12 per cent year-on-year till the end of December, he added.
No serious law and order problems have arisen in the state in the last 19 months. Police stations are working in a people-friendly manner, the Governor said.
In recent times, cybercrime cases have been increasing in the entire country. "The state police department is constantly working to create awareness and quickly identify the criminals, so these cases are also decreasing," he said.
The government is committed to starting the pending irrigation projects in the state within the time limit, Gehlot further said, "Some projects require the approval of the central government and we are putting pressure on the Centre."
Criticising the government, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said, "If you listen to the Governor's address (you will know that) this government has wasted the Governor's time. The address starts by saying that the state government has succeeded in ensuring speedy development in the state. The government made the Governor's address a pure lie."
The Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, slammed the government and said, "This is a zero government because there is zero development in the state."
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Screenwriter Salim Khan on ventilator support and stable, say doctors
Mumbai (PTI): Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan suffered a brain haemorrhage which has been tackled, is on ventilator support as a safeguard and stable, doctors treating him said on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here.
The 90-year-old, one half of the celebrated Salim-Javed duo which scripted films such as "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don" with Javed Akhtar, is in the ICU and recovery might take some time given his age.
"His blood pressure was high for which we treated him and we had to put him on a ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. Now the ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his situation doesn't get worse. So it is not that he is critical," Dr Jalil Parkar told reporters.
"We did the investigations that were required and today we have done a small procedure on him, I will not go into the details. The procedure done is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography). The procedure has been accomplished, he is fine and stable and shifted back to ICU. By tomorrow, we hope to get him off the ventilator. All in all, he is doing quite well," he added.
Asked whether he suffered a brain haemorrhage, the doctor said, "Unko thoda haemorrhage hua tha, which we’ve tackled. No surgery is required.
As concern over Khan's health mounted, his children, including superstar Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan, daughter Alvira, and sons-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma, have been seen outside the hospital along with other well-wishers. His long-time partner Akhtar was also seen coming out of the hospital.
Khan, a household name in the 70s and 80s, turned 90 on November 24 last year. It was the day Dharmendra, the star of many of his films, including "Sholay", "Seeta aur Geeta" and "Yaadon Ki Baraat", passed away.
Hailing from an affluent family in Indore, Khan arrived in Mumbai in his 20s with dreams of stardom. He was good looking and confident he would make a mark in the industry as an actor. But that did not happen. And then, after struggling for close to a decade and getting confined to small roles in films, he changed lanes.
He worked as an assistant to Abrar Alvi and soon met Akhtar to form one of Hindi cinema's most formidable writing partnerships. They worked together on two dozen movies with most of them achieving blockbuster status.
Other than "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don", Khan and Akhtar also penned "Trishul", "Zanjeer", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Haathi Mere Saathi", "Yaadon Ki Baarat" and "Mr India".
