Bengaluru: I cancelled the first anniversary celebrations of my Government driven by my conscience in the backdrop of the muder of young BJP leader Praveen. The decision to cancel the function at Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha and the ‘Janotsava’ convention at Doddaballapura was conscientious in the backgound of grief and anguish being expressed by party activists and the people, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Addressing a media conference Bommai said, the decision was taken in consultation with my ministerial colleagues and the party leadership. The BJP gozvernment completes 3 years today, two years under B. S. Yediyurappa and one year under my leadership. It is my duty to inform the people about what I have done for them and what I plan to do ahead, Bommai said.
He thanked the party workers, his ministerial colleagues, BJP National President J. P. Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi for their cooperation.
Referring to his Government, Bommai said, he has a committed team of ministers with many efficient administrators working with a spirit of service. He assured to ensure people’s participation in governance and make the Government more responsive.
The Chief Minister dedicated a slew of development and welfare programmes for SC, ST, the youth and in various sectors like Health and Education.
“Poor SC, ST families would get 75 units of free power and the direct transfer of the benefit through the DBT system is being launched today. About 25 lakh families would benefit and the State Government would incur an expenditure of Rs. 700 Cr for the scheme,” Bommai said.
The Chief Minister also launched the Babu Jagjivan Ram Self Employment Scheme for the youth. It envisages to provide self-employment benefit for 100 youth in each Assembly Constituency.
The State Government has laid emphasis for improving infrastructure in the education sector. Under the ‘Viveka’ scheme 8000 new classrooms would be constructed, said Bommai.
The Chief Minister also launched the project to upgrade 100 Primary Health Centres to Community Health Centres, 71 new PHCs would be built in backward Kalyana karnataka region.
The ‘Shtree Samarthya’ Yojane would provide Rs1.50 lakh grant for each Women’s Self Help Group and provide them with latest training in skills and marketing. An Anchor Bank would be associated for the scheme. About 5 lakh would be provided financial aid to attain financial empowerment.
Swami Vivekananda Yuvashakthi Sanghas would be opened in 28000 villages of the state. The youth would be provided with financial assistance and skills training to get self employed. About 5 lakh youth would get the benefit, Bommai said.
The State Government launched a novel scheme to save the cows from slaughter by launching ‘Punyakoti’ cow adoption scheme with public participation. The scheme encourages to public to bear the maintenance cost of a cow by donating Rs. 11,000 per annum per cow or adopt the cows. The amount would be utilised to open more ‘Gau Shalas’ in the state.
The ‘Vidya Nidhi’ scholarship has now been extended to students from Weavers’ community too. It would benefit about 10-12 thousand children. Similarly it has also been extended to children of Taxi Drivers as well. About 50,000 Taxi drivers would get the benefit, Bommai said.
The Chief Minister has extended the Vidya Nidhi scholarship for children of Fishermen’s families too.
‘Raitha Vidya Nidhi’ scholarship scheme launched for the first time in the country has benefited about 8.50 lakh students from Farmers’ families last year and it would reach 9.80 lakh students this year. The scheme has brought a new hope in the lives of farmers to educate their children, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
He said everyday the scholarship is being distributed to 15-20 thousands students through the DBT system. The monthly pension for various category of beneficiaries has been increased. An additional grant of Rs 800 Cr has been provided for the welfare schemes of SC, ST and Backward communities.
The grant for boarding and lodging for students in SC, ST and OBC hostels has been increased. New large hostels in 5 major cities of the State are being constructed. The subsidy for house construction for the poor has been increased to Rs. 1 lakh from Rs. 75,000. For those buying a new house the grant has been increased to Rs. 2 lakh from Rs. 1.75 lakh, Bommai said.
It is matter pride for the State to be in the forefront in implementing the New Education Policy, he said.
We have resolved to build a prosperous Karnataka for the development of all through comprehensive welfare programmes and initiatives to boost the economy, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Bommai said, for the first time in the State budget programmes have been put on implementation mode within one month and many of the programmes are on the track within 4 months after the budget presentation. Greater efficiency has been brought in administration. Novel schemes have been launched to set up new industries, generate employment. Various welfare schemes for farmers, students, women, SC, ST and backward communities have been launched. Action has been taken to fill 14,000 vacancies in the Kalyana Karnataka region. About 3000 Cr grant has been provided for development of Kalyana Karnataka region to eradicate regional imbalance, Bommai said.
Process to build 5 new integrated townships in the State has started, 6 engineering colleges are being upgraded to IIT standards, the number of dialysis centres is being raised to 60,000 in the state, Chemotherapy facilities are being created in 10 medical colleges to benefit Cancer patients, Bommai said.
We have declared a war against the elements who disturb social harmony and spread communal hatred in the State. There is no compromise on maintaining law and order, he said.
Replying to a question he said, the State Government took action within 24 hours in the case related to the murder of Harsha in Shivamogga, stringent action was taken in the riots that rocked DJ Halli and KG Halli. It is not just verbal assurances, we have acted tough against these elements. Stern action would be taken against the killers of Praveen too, Bommai said.
Many measures are being taken to prevent and control such heinous acts in Karnataka. We will adopt the Yogi model, if the situation demands it, to deal with anti-national and communal elements, Bommai said.
The State Government has successfully handled many incidents which threatened to disturb social harmony in the state. The Hijab controversy and the Azaan issue were resolved tactfully and effectively.
Replying to a question on banning PFI and SDPI Bommai said, the Union Government would decide on it. The State Government has sent its reports in this regard from time to time. The process has started, he said.
Reacting to allegations of 40% commission in Government projects, Bommai said action would be taken if details of specific instances are provided.
