Minister KJ George says guarantee scheme money not monthly salary; BJP hits back
Bengaluru, Feb 19 (PTI): Karnataka Energy Minister K J George’s remark that funds from the guarantee schemes are "not like a monthly salary," in response to complaints about delays in payments to beneficiaries has drawn sharp criticism from opposition BJP leaders on Wednesday.
There have been complaints about non-payment of funds to beneficiaries of Anna Bhagya (which provides cash in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice to every member of a BPL household) and Gruha Lakshmi (which offers Rs 2,000 per month to women heads of families) for the past couple of months in some cases.
Speaking to reporters in Chitradurga on Tuesday, George said, "Money is transferred every month to beneficiaries' bank accounts, but there may have been delays for some. Is there something the Minister should know about it? As soon as we are informed, steps will be taken to rectify it immediately. This is not like a monthly salary. The Chief Minister has assured that all pending payments will be cleared by May, as promised."
He added, "There may be a delay of 10 to 15 days due to various reasons."
Reacting sharply, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, questioned the Minister’s attitude toward voters.
"Is this your respect for voters? They are not begging for Gruha Lakshmi and Anna Bhagya funds. People did not ask you to introduce these guarantee schemes," he said.
Criticising the government for allegedly "belittling" voters after launching the schemes for electoral gains, Ashoka added, "If you can implement the guarantee schemes as promised, do so with respect. If not, step down. People were managing their lives before these schemes and will continue to do so without them."
"Do not insult the self-respect of Kannadigas. The Congress party has already lost ground across the country. If the self-respect of Kannadigas is hurt, it is guaranteed that Congress will be wiped out in Karnataka too," he warned.
BJP leader and MLC C T Ravi accused the government of "financial mismanagement", saying the Minister had made it seem as though the word "guarantee" carried a stigma.
"A guarantee means that money should be credited to beneficiaries' accounts as surely as the sun rises every day. But after listening to the Minister, it appears that Congress's guarantee is nothing but a fraud," he claimed.
ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಸಚಿವ @thekjgeorge ಅವರೇ,
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) February 19, 2025
ಗೃಹಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ, ಅನ್ನಭಾಗ್ಯ ಹಣ ತಿಂಗಳ ಸಂಬಳ ಅಲ್ವಲ್ಲ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೀರಲ್ಲಾ, ಇದೇನಾ ಮತದಾರರಿಗೆ ನೀವು ಕೊಡುವ ಗೌರವ?
ಗೃಹಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಹಣ ಕೊಡಿ, ಅನ್ನಭಾಗ್ಯದ ಹಣ ಕೊಡಿ ಅಂತ ಮಾತಾದರರೇನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬಳಿ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಬೇಡುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಗ್ಯಾರೆಂಟಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿ ಅಂತ ಜನತೆ ಕೇಳಿಯೂ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ.
ನಿಮ್ಮ… pic.twitter.com/GLuxxEmUZS
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.
Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
ALSO READ: IndiGo board ropes in external aviation expert for flight disruption probe
Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
