Will discuss cabinet expansion with BJP central leadership: CM Yediyurappa
Bengaluru, Aug 2: Amid criticism from the opposition over delay in cabinet formation, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said he would discuss it with the central leadership during his Delhi visit next week.
"If there is even one person also, it is a government..even if there are 25 people also, it is government. Our's is a national party.
On August 6, 7 and 8, I'm going to Delhi. I will discuss with them (party high command), I will try to do the cabinet expansion at the earliest," he told reporters here.
"I will try on my behalf...permission has to be given by Delhi, but routine developmental works and transfers are not facing problems. As a Chief Minister I'm doing it. I seek your (media) cooperation also," he said.
Yediyurappas statement indicates that he would have to wait for the high commands approval before going ahead with the expansion of his Ministry.
He assumed charge as Chief Minister on July 26 and proved majority on the floor of the assembly on July 29.
According to top sources in Karnataka BJP, the cabinet expansion may take five to six days, as it can happen only after Chief Minister getting approval from central leaders.
Only 10 to 12 members are likely to be inducted into the Ministry in the first round, they said.
The Opposition Congress and JD(S) have hit out at Yediyurappa about the delay in ministry formation, alleging that the government machinery has come to a standstill and developmental works have come to halt.
The Chief Minister, who held a marathon eight hour long meeting with top bureaucrats,including Regional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners of all districts and CEOs of various zilla panchayats, said day to day governance was not getting affected, despite absence of Ministers.
He instructed officials to take effective steps to avoid misuse of the "Anna Bhagya" scheme, providing seven kg of rice free of cost to every member of a BPL family every month, initiated by the previous Congress government.
Pointing out that 1.12 crore families are covered under the scheme, he said only those in need should get the benefits of this scheme, but there seemed to be large-scale misuse.
"According to my estimate in each district there are over a lakh of them who are misusing it illegally... so the misuse of it has to be stopped to benefit the poor.
Because we are purchasing rice at a market price and distributing, we are paying Rs 32-33 per kg," he said, adding that officials would conduct a survey about the beneficiaries.
Yediyurappa directed the Chief Secretary to visit a district every month and review the work there.
Secretaries, made in charge of districts, were asked to visit districts twice, conduct reviews and file their reports to the Revenue and Chief Secretary.
Pointing at the drought situation in some parts of the state, he directed officials to accord priority to providing drinking water, fodder for livestock and jobs to the needy under MNREGA scheme.
Yediyurappa said that during his Delhi visit he will work for getting pending MNREGA funds released and discuss several stalled projects of the state with the central government.
Speaking about Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme, he said 31.72 lakh beneficiaries have been identified and are being provided Rs 6,000 in three installments by the central government, which comes to about Rs 634.50 crore.
After him assuming office, the state government decided to provide additional Rs 4,000 in two installments to these farmers under the scheme he said, adding that "within 10 days, the first installment of Rs 2,000 will be released to them."
The total allocation of funds from Karnataka for implementing this scheme is Rs 2,200 crore.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
