“Those around the CM are looting the state’s resources. You (Siddaramaiah) will have to answer to your conscience and pay the price for this mismanagement,” he said.
Karnataka govt likely finding excuses to halt guarantee schemes: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy
Vartha Bharati | 05-01-2025 | 19:08:00 IST
Mysuru (Karnataka), Jan 5: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of finding ways to discontinue its flagship guarantee schemes, while "burdening" the common people with increased costs such as the recent 15 per cent hike in public transport bus fares.
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, "The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is someone who has presented the most number of budgets in the state, as he has also held a finance portfolio, with his consent the five guarantee schemes were implemented and they (Congress) claim that they have walked the talk, but to walk the talk they are playing with the lives of the common man." Expressing concern over the fare hike, he said it impacted farmers, labourers, and the working class.
“By increasing bus fares by 15 per cent, what has this government achieved? These hikes affect the lives of the common people, not the wealthy or ministers’ families,” he said, adding that the hike reflects the government’s insensitivity towards the struggles of the underprivileged.
ALSO READ: Siddaramaiah challenges Kumaraswamy to prove corruption, commission charges against govt
The revised bus fares, which took effect at midnight on Saturday, have drawn criticism from opposition parties and various sections of society.
The JDS leader charged the government with indulging in "daylight robbery," claiming that in the guise of implementing guarantee schemes, it was extracting several times more money from the same beneficiaries.
“The Congress government claims it is fulfilling its promises, but at what cost? They are taking money from the people through fare hikes, increased stamp duties, and higher cess on petrol and diesel, and then giving it back in the form of schemes like Gruha Lakshmi. This is no achievement,” he remarked.
He further alleged that corruption under the current administration has reached unprecedented levels. "Contractors supporting the Congress have said commissions now exceed 60 percent, which is worse than the previous government. Corruption is rampant at Vidhana Soudha and across departments, with fixed percentages for ministers." Acknowledging that some people have benefited from the state government’s guarantee schemes, Kumaraswamy said the fare hike and other financial burdens might be part of a strategy to eventually phase out these schemes.
“Looking at the government’s actions, it appears they are preparing excuses to do away with these schemes in the future. This could be a prelude to that conspiracy,” he said.
The former CM also highlighted the suicide cases of contractors and officials, attributing them to the rampant corruption in the administration.
He urged CM Siddaramaiah to hold his administration accountable.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
19-02-2026 ¦
19-02-2026 IST
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
