Karnataka govt is working hard to realise these aspirations of the Constitution: Governor
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday said the state government is working hard to realise the aspirations of the Constitution, as he highlighted that it has fulfilled the commitment by implementing the five guarantees successfully, and its management of the drought situation.
The Governor was speaking after unfurling the national tricolour at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here on the occasion of Republic Day.
"The Preamble of the Constitution provides to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The Constitution of India has envisaged all its citizens equal opportunities and equal status to develop themselves with self dignity and thereby to contribute to the development of the nation. My government is working hard to realise these aspirations of the Constitution," Gehlot said.
In his address, he said, "My Government had assured the people of Karnataka that we would implement the five guarantees Shakti Yojane, Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyoti, Gruha Lakshmi and Yuvanidhi programme. I am happy to state that we have implemented all the five guarantees in the State."
The Congress in Karnataka had promised to implement five 'guarantees' ahead of the Assembly polls in the state 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), additional 5 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (YuvaNidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).
Further noting that as per norms and procedures delineated in the Drought Manual 2020, Karnataka has declared drought in 223 out of 236 taluks out of which 196 are categorised as severely drought affected, the Governor said, the State government had sought funds from NDRF for undertaking drought relief and mitigation measures in the 195 drought affected taluks.
"To alleviate the distress of farmers an interim relief of input subsidy of up to Rs 2,000 per farmer in the drought declared taluks is being released by the State Government directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of farmers. The process to transfer about Rs 580 crore to about 30 lakh farmers is underway," he said.
He also highlighted various measures taken by the government in managing the drought situation in the state.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ministers of his cabinet, legislators, officials were among the dignitaries present at the event, which saw a march past parade by security forces, police, NCC and contingents from various schools, followed by cultural programmes.
Listing out various programmes being implemented by the government in various sectors, Gehlot said, "Brand Bengaluru", an ambitious project of the Government of Karnataka has been formulated with an idea that the citizen's voice is the government's voice for all-round development of the city of Bengaluru and making it a global hub.
"Under this concept, advice was sought from experts and the public on 8 key issues. Discussions were held with public associations, civil defence forums, industry sector experts. Accordingly, more than 70,000 suggestions were collected and a committee is examining the suggestions and will make recommendations," he said.
Keeping in view the comprehensive development of Bengaluru and realising the need to lay more emphasis on smooth traffic, a Rs.2000 crore project has been launched and the process of inviting tender for white topping of major roads has been initiated, he further said, in order to find a permanent solution to the congestion of the city, it is proposed to construct tunnel roads at selected places.
"The process of preparation of a Detailed Project Report with the help of an international agency for construction of a tunnel road of 2 km area has been initiated," he added.
The Governor said arrangements have been made to incorporate a photo of the design of the preamble of the 'Indian Constitution' in all the schools of the State and to read the preamble during daily prayers.
For the first time a scheme providing loan from Karnataka State Financial Corporation to minority community entrepreneurs at 6 per cent interest rate up to to Rs 10 crore is implemented, he said, adding during the current year, the government is taking steps to distribute various equipment to the differently-abled persons at a cost of Rs 54.40 crore.
On the occasion of the completion of 50 years of renaming as Karnataka, "Karnataka Sambhram-50" programmes are being celebrated all over the State throughout the year, he pointed out.
State-level Single Window Clearance Committees have approved 165 investment projects, wherein, Rs.45,325 crore investment will be made and will create employment opportunities to 42,292 people, the Governor said.
Pointing out that 42 per cent of the software exports from the country are contributed by Karnataka, he said, the State government regularly revises its policies to suit the changing requirements of IT & BT sectors and to upgrade the skills in the most advanced and emerging technologies.
Gehlot in his address, also noted that action has been taken to hand over the compensatory afforestation land to the Forest Department for speedy implementation of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project and to speed up planning works and land acquisition process.
The implementation of the prestigious Upper Krishna Project Stage-3 of North Karnataka will be expedited with priority for land acquisition and rehabilitation & resettlement activities under the project, he said.
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Islamabad locked down ahead of planned protest by Imran Khan's party in Pakistan
Islamabad (PTI): Amid stringent measures put in place by the Pakistan government to thwart the protest march on Sunday, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party is preparing to proceed with its highly anticipated march towards Islamabad.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has called on the public to join the march to "break the shackles of slavery."
The federal government has taken several steps to block the protest, including deploying heavy security forces, sealing key roads, and setting up barriers around the capital.
The Interior Ministry has emphasised that, in accordance with court orders, no protests or sit-ins will be allowed in Islamabad, and any attempts to disrupt public order will be met with legal action.
Khan, in a statement, urged the masses to unite for the protest, calling it a movement for freedom and justice.
The PTI leaders earlier on Sunday held a high-level meeting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s House to finalise the strategy for the planned protest, Geo News reported.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that he will arrive in Swabi at 3pm to oversee the preparations for the planned protest and lead the party's march to Islamabad, the report added.
The chief minister also directed the party's activists intending to attend the march to reach Swabi by 3pm.
Ignoring calls by the government to postpone the protest – the second one in as many months – Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) declared to go ahead with its planned march to Islamabad coinciding with the arrival of a large Belarusian delegation even as the authorities issued a warning of a potential threat during the protest.
The PTI gave a call last week for a long march to Islamabad to press for three demands: the release of the incarcerated party founder and other leaders, against the alleged “stolen mandate” during February 8 elections and restoration of the judiciary by revoking the recent 26th amendment to the Constitution that granted legislators more power in appointing top judges.
Meanwhile, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has opted not to participate in the protest but will oversee the convoys from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's House.
In preparation for the protest, Islamabad’s federal government has fortified security measures, sealing off several key roads and blocking routes leading to the Red Zone, where critical government buildings are located.
Containers have been placed across the city, including along the Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and the Expressway, limiting access to strategic areas like D-Chowk, Islamabad Airport, and the A-11 point at New Margalla Road.
Rangers, along with police and Frontier Constabulary (FC), have been deployed to monitor the area. The federal government has also warned against any unlawful protests, stating that no one will be permitted to hold a demonstration in violation of judicial orders, with legal action promised against any violators.
Also, Pakistan Railways has suspended all train services between Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar in light of the ongoing PTI protest, the Express Tribune reported.
According to railway authorities, services between Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, as well as between Multan and Faisalabad to Rawalpindi, have been halted immediately.
Additionally, all 25 train bookings for Sunday, November 24, have been cancelled, and passengers will receive immediate refunds for their tickets.
The suspension of services and the cancellation of bookings have impacted daily commuters and travellers, as Pakistan Railways responds to the security situation surrounding the ongoing protests.
Section 144 – which prohibits gatherings of individuals – has been in effect in Islamabad since November 18. On the other hand, the Punjab government too has enforced Section 144 across the province from November 23 to November 25, banning protests, public gatherings, rallies, and sit-ins.
Despite the heightened security and restrictions, the PTI has remained persistent about proceeding with its protest march and subsequent sit-in to press for its demands.
Additionally, internet and mobile services have been partially suspended in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab as a precaution.
Users in Islamabad are facing partial disruptions in internet services at various locations, while it remains unhindered in neighbouring Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, mobile services also remain fully operational in Rawalpindi.
Public transport, including metro bus services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has been halted, and all bus terminals at Faizabad, linking the twin cities, have been barricaded.
Khan, 72, has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022. He has been in Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi since last year facing, according to his party, over 200 cases; got bail in some of them, convicted in some others, and hearings going on for some more.
Khan's party won the largest number of seats in the February general elections despite contesting as independents as the party was denied an election symbol and the PTI chief has already alleged that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partners, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had “stolen the mandate” to grab power at the federal level.
Relations between the PTI and the PML-N-led coalition government -already tense since Khan’s ouster in 2022 - have strained even more in recent times.
