State yours and BJP's stance on guarantee schemes clearly before opposing them, Siddaramaiah to Modi
Bengaluru, Aug 2: Asserting that Karnataka's model of governance is what is needed for the entire country, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to state his and BJP's stance clearly about the guarantee schemes before opposing them.
Drawing attention to certain "freebie schemes" announced by the BJP government at the Centre and in few states ruled by the party, he questioned the Prime Minister about the contradiction in standpoints.
In a series of tweets, the Chief Minister reacted to Modi's statement in Pune on Tuesday in which he accused the ruling Congress in Karnataka of "emptying" state coffers for selfish interests. He had said in Karnataka, where the Congress came to power nearly three months ago after ousting the BJP from office in the recent assembly polls, the Siddaramaiah government has admitted state coffers are empty and there are no funds for development.
The Prime Minister said the Congress managed to come to power in the southern state by making populist announcements, but in the process it has jeopardised the people's future.
"Thanks to Prime Minister @narendramodi for his concern about Karnataka's finances due to the implementation of the guarantee schemes in Karnataka. Mr. Narendra Modi, please make it clear whether this is your personal opinion, the opinion as the Prime Minister of India, or the opinion of your party?" Siddaramaiah said.
"Please state your and your party's stance clearly about the guarantee schemes before opposing them," he urged the Prime Minister, and asked him to direct the Karnataka BJP leaders to publicly oppose Congress' guarantee schemes as well.
"We are ready to face the next Lok Sabha elections with the guarantee schemes as our main agenda," he added.
Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh also hit out at the Prime Minister's statements by claiming that Modi was causing a problem for the smooth implementation of the poll guarantees in Karnataka.
"The cheap politics played by the Prime Minister in creating all kinds of obstacles to implement the 10kg free rice Anna Bhagya Guarantee is well known. The Modi govt cancelled a FCI order for rice procurement by the Karnataka govt when it was ready to pay Rs. 34/kg, while consistently increasing sale of rice at Rs.20/ kg for ethanol production every passing year," Ramesh tweeted.
The Prime Minister and the BJP MPs will have to answer to the people of Karnataka for their "petty politics" over welfare for the poor, he added.
Pointing out that Karnataka BJP leaders are demanding the Congress government to implement all its guarantee schemes immediately, CM Siddaramaiah said former chief minister B S Yediyurappa even made a loud protest on this issue. "What is your opinion on this, Mr. Narendra Modi?"
"BJP, in its manifesto, had announced to give three free gas cylinders and half a liter of milk a day. Is this not a freebie, Mr. Narendra Modi?," he asked.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has announced the "Ladli-Behena" scheme, where the government will deposit Rs 1,000 per month into the accounts of women beneficiaries, and he has promised to increase it to Rs 3,000, he further pointed out, questioning, "Is this not a free scheme as well? Is the PM-Kisan Samman Yojana, which deposits Rs 6,000 annually into the accounts of farmers, not a freebie as per your definition, Mr. Modi?"
Noting that the Central Government is implementing eight freebie schemes with an estimated budget outlay of Rs 1.25 lakh crore, the Chief Minister questioned "Do these schemes not contradict your own statements, Mr. Modi?"
"The people of Karnataka, who have suffered from inflation and unemployment, have rejected the BJP and their economic mismanagement. We are making the best efforts to fight against the financial crisis, relieve the burden of debt, and ensure social security for the common people. Karnataka's model of governance is what is needed for the entire country," he added.
Thanks to Prime Minister @narendramodi for his concern about Karnataka's finances due to the implementation of the guarantee schemes in Karnataka.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 2, 2023
Mr. Narendra Modi, please make it clear whether this is your personal opinion, the opinion as the Prime Minister of India, or the… pic.twitter.com/SO7dTV6NKT
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
