No proposal before me to rejig cabinet, let's see after meeting in Delhi: CM Yediyurappa
Bengaluru, Jul 15: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said there was no proposal before him to reshuffle his cabinet, however any changes in this regard is subject to his meeting with BJP central leaders in Delhi.
Yediyurappa will be travelling to Delhi on Friday, during which he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, host of central Ministers and the BJP central leaders.
"I'm going to Delhi tomorrow with an intention to meet several central Ministers and the Prime Minister to discuss the development of the state, irrigation projects that are pending and other issues," Yediyurappa said.
During the Chief Minister's proposed meeting with the PM and the concerned union Ministers, he is expected to seek central government's clearances for Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, to which neighbouring Tamil Nadu is vehemently opposed to.
Speaking to reporters here, the CM said, "he (PM) has said he will meet, he will give time. So after meeting everyone, I will return day-after-tomorrow (Saturday)."
He was responding to a question whether time was fixed for his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Asked whether the cabinet reshuffle was on cards, Yediyurappa said, "there is no such thing before me, let's see after discussions there (in Delhi). It is not before me."
Amid speculations about the possible cabinet rejig on the lines of union cabinet reshuffle, Yediyurappa had recently maintained that no discussions have taken place on it.
State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel had on Wednesday said it is left to the CM's discretion.
During BJP national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh's individual meeting with legislators last month, in the midst of rumblings within the party on the leadership change issue, several of them had reportedly discussed social justice and regional imbalance in the cabinet and thereby had tried to make out a case for a reshuffle.
Yediyurappa had last expanded his cabinet in January with the induction of seven new ministers and had also effected a reshuffle of the departments of some ministers.
There are now 33 ministers in the state cabinet, and one berth is vacant.
The cabinet expansion in January had resulted in large- scale resentment in the party, with too many aspirants for ministerial posts.
Yediyurappa's visit to Delhi also comes, even as speculation about his possible replacement refuses to die down.
Also repeated open remarks by some disgruntled leaders within the state BJP, targeting him and his family, accusing them of corruption and interference in administration, have embarrassed the party and the government, despite warnings of disciplinary action by the leadership.
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Karnataka govt to establish Gig Workers’ Welfare Board
Bengaluru, Apr 3 (PTI): The Karnataka government decided to establish a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office said on Thursday.
The decision was made following a discussion between Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Rahul Gandhi inquired about the timeline for formulating the Gig Workers' Welfare Act, which he had promised during his Bharat Jodo Yatra and the elections.
"The Karnataka government has decided to establish a Gig Workers' Welfare Board to ensure the well-being of workers employed by companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, Uber, and others," the statement said.
It further stated that a five per cent cess would be collected from the concerned companies, while the state government would provide the remaining funds required to support welfare schemes for gig workers.
"A comprehensive bill covering all aspects of gig workers' welfare will be prepared and presented before the state cabinet for approval," the statement added.
Three gig worker representatives—Rakshitha Dev, Sheikh Salahuddin, and Nikhil Dev—were also invited to the meeting.
They appreciated the government's initiative and expressed hope for improved working conditions.
State ministers Santosh Lad, Priyank Kharge, and M B Patil were present at the meeting.
Santosh Lad was quoted as saying that Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier advocated for gig workers' rights during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, welcomed the eight-point proposal prepared by the Labour department.
Rahul Gandhi also emphasised the need for swift implementation to safeguard gig workers' interests.
"The Karnataka Labour Department has already introduced three key bills—covering workers' gratuity, cinema workers' rights, and now, gig workers' welfare. The unorganised workers' sector has lauded the government's efforts and extended full support for this progressive move," the statement quoted Lad as saying.
