State government has brought guarantee schemes by fooling the people: R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: Karnataka Opposition leader R. Ashoka has sharply criticised the Congress-led state government for introducing guarantee schemes without securing adequate resources. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka accused the government of deceiving the public by implementing these schemes without ensuring the financial stability to support them.
Ashoka pointed out that regardless of the ruling party, the state government must resort to borrowing, but introducing such schemes without a resource guarantee is irresponsible. He claimed that the government is struggling to manage its finances, citing losses in the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) and other departments. He warned that even Congress MLAs might defy their own government if the situation worsens, urging the leadership to address the issues before it’s too late.
Further criticising the current administration, Ashoka noted that funds previously earmarked by the BJP government for critical development projects in Bengaluru, including flood control, footpaths, flyovers, and Rajkaluves, have been diverted to finance the guarantee schemes. He claimed that this has left the city’s development in jeopardy, with the government now on the brink of bankruptcy.
Ashoka also took aim at the Congress government's approach to healthcare, contrasting it with the Central Government's Jan Aushadhi Yojana, which provides affordable medicines. He alleged that the Congress ministers are influenced by lobbies and are prioritizing schemes that would yield them commissions, betraying public trust.
The opposition leader's comments followed a march organized by the BJP against the Congress government, which he said resulted in fearful reactions from Congress leaders. He added that several complaints related to the government's alleged scams have been filed at the Raj Bhavan.
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.
Karnataka Congress MLA Gaviyappa wants CM to stop some poll guarantees, draws DK Shivakumar's ire
Bengaluru/Vijayanagara, Nov 26: Karnataka Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to drop some poll guarantees, citing lack of funds, which drew sharp response from Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.
The ruling party MLA from Vijayanagara suggested that the election guarantees have made it difficult to provide houses to the poor in the state.
“Because of guarantee schemes, there is difficulty in providing houses to poor. We are also asking the Chief Minister to drop two or three schemes, which are not needed. Let’s see what the Chief Minister says,” Gaviyappa said in a public meeting in Vijayanagara.
He, however, maintained that he would stand by the decision taken by the Chief Minister.
ALSO READ: Eligible families won't be inconvenienced with BPL card revision: Karnataka minister KH Muniyappa
According to the Congress MLA, the CM raised Rs 40,000 crore this year keeping development in mind.
The legislator's statement irked Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.
“This is Congress party. I am going to issue him a showcause notice. He can’t do that. No question of closing any guarantee. We have committed to the people of Karnataka. No one can raise their voice (against the guarantees),” the Deputy CM, who is also the Congress state president told media in Bengaluru.
He said a Congress MLA cannot speak against the guarantees.
Those who are ineligible will not get the benefit, Shivakumar said adding the same policy has been adopted in the recent revision of BPL cards.
The Karnataka government has decided to remove the government employees and income tax payees from the list of BPL card holders as per the Central government norms.
