Will discuss with nationalized banks on farm loan waiver: CM
Bengaluru, June 19: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he would shortly hold a meeting with the heads of all nationalized banks and their officers to discuss on waiving off the farm loans scientifically.
Speaking at a Meet the Press organized by the Bengaluru Press Club and Reporters Guild here on Tuesday, the CM said that he would not backtrack from his promise of loan waiver. Within couple of days, he would convene a meeting of the heads and officials of the nationalized banks and discuss the formalities. The benefit of the loan waiver should reach the farmers completely, he said.
With an intention of easing the burden on common people because of the farm loan waiver, he is planning to accumulate the money in different sources and check the misusing the funds in government schemes, he said.
“During the NITI Aayog meeting, I have appraised the Prime Minister of the present situation in the state and asked financial assistance from the centre to waive off the farm loans. I have asked the financial assistance from the centre just to know the morality of the PM and not as escapism. I have done my duty as the CM and it is left to them”, he said.
When asked about his statement that ‘no one could touch him for next one year’, Kumaraswamy said that the JDS-Congress coalition government would complete five years term. There is no need to panic over the future of this government. But he answered the question as the media has that doubt, he said.
Village stay
Village stay programme which he began when he was the chief minister for 20 months had got good response from the people. As a servant of people, he had tried to understand the problems of common people through village stay programmes. He would continue that programme to find out the problems and provide solutions, he said.
Checking squandering of money
“I have asked the officials to reduce my security. But they denied my proposal saying that it is the protocol for a CM. So, till now, I am under the security cordon. But I have decided not to waste the public money. I have used general class flight to go to Delhi instead of special flights”, he said.
Budget in July
He would present the coalition government budget in July. Prior to this, he would conduct the cabinet meeting to discuss on Budget. Discussions on farm loan waiver would be held in that cabinet meeting, he said.
The Chief Minister said that media should throw light on burning issues in the state and draw the attention of the government. This would help the government on what to do and what not to do. Development of the state could be possible only when both the sides join hands together. It is because of media, Kumaraswamy is still in politics and because of the media, he was alive when he was in opposition position, the CM said.
‘Not complained, followed Rajadharma’
“When I met AICC president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, I have not discussed anything about Congress leaders. I have got the suggestions only on following the Rajadharma of coalition government. But it is not fair to level allegation against me that I have complained against Congress leaders”.
HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister
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Modi govt by changing name of MGNREGA exposed its 'hatred' towards Gandhi: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that the union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attempting to change the name and structure of the MGNREGA, has itself exposed its "hatred" towards the poor and towards Mahatma Gandhi.
He also accused the Centre of "altering" the very structure of the scheme, by shifting nearly 40 per cent of the cost onto the state governments, and called Modi "anti federal".
Suggesting that the NDA government at the Centre start a "Ministry of Name Change", with the Prime Minister himself holding that portfolio, the CM warned of a statewide agitation against this name change move.
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, that seeks to replace the existing rural employment law MGNREGA, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amid strong objections by the opposition to the "removal" of Mahatma Gandhi's name from it.
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"The Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is attempting to change the name and structure of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), has itself exposed its hatred towards the poor and towards Mahatma Gandhi," Siddaramaiah said in a statement.
Implemented by the UPA government 20 years ago, the MGNREGA scheme has played a crucial role in eradicating unemployment and poverty in rural areas, he said, adding that "this scheme, which guarantees the right to employment to every individual, has received praise from economists both in India and abroad."
Noting that MGNREGA was a genuine form of employment guarantee, the CM said the proposed new structure under the Modi government strips away that guarantee and places the assurance of work at the whims of political leaders.
"This will further deepen caste discrimination and social inequality," he claimed.
Highlighting that the NDA government has altered the very structure of MGNREGA, a scheme whose entire expenditure was earlier borne by the Central government, by shifting nearly 40 per cent of the cost onto the state governments, Siddaramaiah said this stands as clear evidence of the "anti-federal attitude" that Prime Minister Modi has followed ever since coming to power.
"This move will also increase the migration of poor people in search of work as the proposed form does not guarantee employment in their own location -- forcing families to travel long distances to survive," he said.
Naming this scheme after Mahatma Gandhi, who sowed the dream of Gram Swaraj, was a meaningful decision, the CM said, "While Prime Minister Narendra Modi indulges in praising Gandhi during his foreign tours, within the country he has consistently engaged in attempts to erase Gandhi's legacy from key national programmes. From a parivar that seeks to glorify Gandhi's assassin Godse, what different conduct can one really expect?"
"Narendra Modi is widely known for simply changing the names of landmark schemes launched by the UPA government rather than preserving or strengthening them. It would be more appropriate for this government to start a 'Ministry of Name Change,' with the Prime Minister himself holding that portfolio," he said.
More than 25 flagship programmes launched during earlier governments were merely renamed or repackaged by the present regime, the CM further said, listing out that the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan was rechristened as the Swachh Bharat Mission, while the Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account scheme was rebranded as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, among others.
"These changes reflect a consistent pattern of altering names rather than fundamentally strengthening or expanding the original intent of these welfare initiatives," he added.
Stating that the Congress party and state government strongly condemn this "anti-people" decision of the Narendra Modi government, which has snatched food from the plates of the poor, insulted Bapu, and attempted to strangle state governments financially, Siddaramaiah warned about launching a statewide agitation against this move.
"The responsibility of preserving the MGNREGA scheme in its original form must also be taken up by the lakhs of beneficiaries of the scheme. They must hold the BJP leaders of the state accountable and exert pressure on them to raise their voices against this injustice, rising above party lines," he said.
