Udupi: The selection of recipients for the District Rajyotsava Awards should remain free from political influence and other forms of pressure, said District In-charge Minister Rizwan Arshad. He said the government would discuss introducing a uniform policy and clear selection criteria for the awards across Karnataka with the Department of Kannada and Culture.
Speaking to reporters in Udupi, Arshad said the cancellation of district-level Rajyotsava awards had become a subject of discussion in one or two districts. The issue highlighted the need for a clear statewide policy on the selection and presentation of the awards.
He said the government was considering establishing specific criteria for selecting awardees and constituting a committee to oversee the process, beginning this year.
The minister emphasised that the Rajyotsava Award carried its own prestige and that the selection process should uphold its reputation. He said he would hold discussions with the Department of Kannada and Culture to work towards a consistent framework across districts.
Meeting on Udupi District Hospital on November 3
Arshad said a meeting would be held in Bengaluru on November 3 to discuss the delay in inaugurating the new Udupi District Hospital.
The Health Minister’s time had already been requested for the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner, elected representatives and concerned senior officials would also participate in the discussions.
He said the Health Minister was fully aware of the situation surrounding the district hospital and that the necessary decisions would be taken during the meeting.
The meeting is expected to address the pending issues concerning the hospital and the delay in making the new facility operational.
Milk price increase aimed at supporting farmers
Commenting on the increase in milk prices, Arshad said the government had a responsibility to consider farmers’ demands and protect their livelihoods.
He stated that milk prices in Karnataka were lower compared with those in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. According to him, the price revision was necessary to ensure that farmers received a fair return for their produce.
The minister said that without an increase in procurement prices, farmers might consider transporting their milk to neighbouring states where they could receive better prices.
Such a situation, he said, could lead to a shortage of milk within Karnataka while also depriving local farmers of fair remuneration.
He maintained that the government had taken the decision after considering the interests of both milk producers and consumers.
Clarifies CM did not say treasury was empty
Responding to remarks about the financial position of the state government, Arshad clarified that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had never stated that the state’s treasury was empty.
He rejected the claim that the Chief Minister had made such a statement.
Says democracy must be protected
Commenting on the INDIA alliance’s protest in Delhi, Arshad said the survival of democracy was of paramount importance.
He observed that governments could change, but the democratic system and the people’s right to elect their representatives must remain protected.
The minister also stressed that the Election Commission should function impartially and independently. He said any perception that the institution was acting as an associate of the ruling party or a partner in an alliance would harm democracy.
Referring to the ongoing opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, he said young people were participating in a large-scale meeting in Delhi in association with the INDIA alliance.
He expressed concern that the SIR process could result in people being excluded from electoral rolls and said the campaign against the process would continue.
Clarifies remarks about Bollywood actors
Arshad also clarified his earlier statement that his “favourite stars are communal”, saying his remarks were specifically about Bollywood actors and not actors from Karnataka.
He said he had raised the issue at an event the previous day and was referring to certain Bollywood actors whom he alleged had displayed a communal mindset.
He further claimed that some actors had appeared in films reflecting such ideologies.
The minister reiterated that his comments were confined to certain Bollywood actors and that he did not consider actors from Karnataka to be communal.