Page 24 - Siddaramaiah

BJP to protest in K'taka against govt's 'failure' to fulfill poll promises

The opposition BJP in Karnataka will stage protests against the alleged delay in implementation of the five poll promises made by the ruling Congress in the run-up to the assembly elections. The agitation will take place both inside and outside the assembly simultaneously from Tuesday till July 14 when the session ends seeking effective implementation of the guarantees, according to BJP sources. While the BJP legislative party will hold the demonstration inside the assembly, former chief ministers B S Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, D V Sadananda Gowda, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel will stage a protest at the Freedom Park. The second day of the assembly session is expected to be stormy if the BJP goes ahead with its plans. The saffron party has been targetting the Congress especially over the implementation of 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides 5 kg grains to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Due to unavailability of required amount of rice, the Siddaramaiah ...

BJP yet to elect Oppn leader, is most indisciplined party: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the BJP yet to elect the leader of opposition in the Legislative Assembly shows there is groupism in that outfit and dubbed it as the "most indisciplined" political party. "It clearly shows that there is groupism among them," he told reporters in response to a question. The BJP calls itself as a disciplined party but it's the "most indisciplined party", Siddaramaiah alleged. The budget session of the Karnataka Legislature began on Monday with the BJP yet to elect its leader in the lower House. The BJP president J P Nadda has appointed Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and party general secretary Vinod Tawde as central observers for the election. BJP chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said the two central leaders will be visiting the state to oversee the election of the party's leader in the state assembly by its MLAs. Following its loss to the Congress in the state polls, the BJP is yet to elect its leader in the

Karnataka CM vows to get caste-wise census report commissioned in 1st stint

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday vowed to get the caste-wise census report which he had commissioned during his first stint as CM from 2013-18. He said the caste-based census was a must to bring those communities in the mainstream of the society who were subjected to injustice due to casteism. Siddaramaiah alleged that the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy during whose tenure (May 2018-July 2019) the caste-based census report was ready, scuttled its tabling by threatening the then Backward Classes Welfare Minister C Puttaranga Shetty. Speaking after performing the ground-breaking ceremony of Sri Kaginele Mahasansthan Kanaka Gurupeeth, here today, Siddaramaiah said the Kuruba (shepherds) community, which he belonged to, constitute about seven per cent of the total population of the state. "We are seven per cent in the total population (in the state), which means that out of seven crore population, we are 49 lakh. That's why to find out the caste-wise population I h

Seers in Karnataka oppose repeal of anti-conversion, cow slaughter laws

Heads of various mutts in Dakshina Kannada district have strongly opposed the decision of the Karnataka government to repeal anti-conversion law and the cow slaughter prevention Act. The meeting of the seers condemned the recent statements by some ministers on the move to withdraw Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act and amend Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, Gurudevananda Swami of Odiyuru Mutt told reporters here on Friday. The seers called upon Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar not to go ahead with any move to change the Acts as it will lead to social unrest in Dakshina Kannada and other districts of Karnataka. Terming the move as anti-Hindu,' Gurudevananda Swami said the government should not hurt the sentiments of Hindus. He also threatened that the seers will go on a hunger strike if the government proceeds with the move. The seers will submit a memorandum to the Governor, Chief Minister,

Welfare programmes for minorities to be resumed: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

A delegation of the Central Council of the Minority Muslim Thinkers, Chavadi, of Karnataka State met him on Friday and discussed various issues, said the government

Cabinet entrusts Siddaramaiah with appointing members for 3 sub-committees

The Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday entrusted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with constituting three Cabinet sub-committees to deal with three areas, namely irrigation projects, withdrawal of criminal cases, and for giving thrust to investment in the state. Briefing reporters here, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said that one of the sub-committees that the CM has been entrusted with constituting is for the implementation of various projects on river Krishna, Cauvery, Mahadayi and other rivers. That sub-committee will also look into the implementation of various court and tribunal orders related to these river projects. Another sub-committee would be formed to withdraw criminal cases, as various individuals and organisations have made such requests regarding cases related to various agitations, Patil said. The minister said the chief minister will appoint members for it. He added that duration for the withdrawal of cases is not specified. The third sub-committee will

Karnataka govt to reopen Bitcoin scam, to get it probed thoroughly

The Congress government in Karnataka on Tuesday said it will get the Bitcoin scam taken place during the previous BJP government thoroughly investigated. The case is likely to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Home Minister Dr Parameshwara has hinted. Speaking to reporters in Hassan today, CM Siddaramaiah said all irregularities and scams of the BJP government including the Bitcoin scam will be probed. Parameshwara charged that the BJP tried to close the matter but the Congress government will get it investigated. "Regarding Bitcoin, I have said that whatever incident has happened will be thoroughly investigated. For whatever reason, the previous government had closed it. When we were in the opposition, we had said that we will get it investigated if we come to power. We will take all steps to reinvestigate it, Parameshwara told reporters here. He also said the Bengaluru Police Commissioner has written to the Director General of Police recommending tha

Will probe all scams, irregularities during BJP regime, says Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his government will get all the alleged scams and irregularities that have taken place during the previous BJP regime probed and punish the guilty. Noting that the government will fulfill all the poll promises, he said, implementation of Congress' five guarantees will cost Rs 59,000 crore a year to the exchequer, and there is a slightly higher burden on the administration this year. "We will get scams inquired into. Four medical colleges were constructed and there are allegations about irregularities in it, we will get it investigated. Also we will get allegations of 40 per cent commission probed. There were irregularities in health related procurements during COVID-19 period, irrigation projects related irregularities and Bitcoin scam, all of them will be probed," Siddaramaiah said. Speaking to reporters here, he said investigation is on into the Police Sub Inspector (PSI) recruitment scam by the CID; it will be further ...

Yediyurappa's protest on poll guarantee implementation a gimmick: K'taka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa has "no moral rights" to call for protests demanding that the Congress government implement its poll guarantees and termed it as a "political gimmick". Noting that the Congress has fulfilled the poll promises while in power in the past, he said, this time too it has already taken a decision to implement five "guarantees" announced in the election manifesto. "What moral right he (Yediyurappa) has? He was the President of the party, then he became the Chief Minister, did he implement the promises made in the (BJP) manifesto? No, when such being the case, what moral right does he have? He has no moral rights," Siddaramaiah said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "as far as the Congress party is concerned, we have implemented all the promises we had made in the 2013 manifesto (while in power from 2013-18), now we have made a promise to implement five guarantees, we have already taken a decision to

Never seen PM who speaks lies: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah targets Modi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday hit out at the Narendra Modi-led central government and claimed that in his 40 years of political career he has never seen a prime minister who speaks "lies". Addressing a rally in Kannada in Sangli district of Maharashtra, where the state Congress felicitated him for the party's win the recent Karnataka Assembly polls, the CM accused the BJP of indulging in corruption in his state. He said it was the responsibility of every Congress worker to defeat the Narendra Modi government and save the Constitution and democracy. "Never in my 40-year political life have I seen a prime minister who speaks lies. In 2014, he (Modi) spoke of depositing Rs 15 lakh into the bank accounts of people, two crore jobs and bringing acche din (good days). Did anything of this sort happen?' the Congress leader asked targeting Modi. Siddaramaiah said he and his deputy D K Shivakumar, who is the Karnataka Congress president, visited every nook and corner of the

Siddaramaiah uses 'inauspicious' south door of his office in Vidhana Soudha

For years, the 'inauspicious' south door of the Chief Minister's office in Vidhana Soudha remained shut but on Saturday Chief Minister Siddaramaiah got the door opened as he decided to make an entry and exit from there. The 'rational' Chief Minister, who arrived at the Vidhana Soudha to hold a meeting with senior officials regarding Anna Bhagya scheme, noticed the south door closed. When he inquired with the officials about it never being opened, they told him that south door was considered inauspicious and hence it was never ever opened. Siddaramaiah stood right in front of the door for a while and then directed the officials open it. After entering his office, he explained his interpretation of 'Vaastu.' "A good Vaastu is the one where you get a healthy mind, clean heart and concern for people. It should have natural light and fresh air coming in," the Chief Minister said. According to an official, no other Chief Minister in the past had ever dared opening the south door. "To m

Negotiating with Centre for rice for Anna Bhagya scheme: K'taka CM

A day after the Centre refused to give rice to Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the state has invited quotations from three central agencies to supply rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme offering five kg extra rice to the BPL families. He said the negotiations for prices were underway with these agencies. He also slammed the Centre for refusing to provide rice to his government for the scheme which is one of the five guarantees, that was supposed to start immediately after the Congress came to power in Karnataka. "What we have done is we have sought quotations from the National Consumers' Cooperative Federation (NCCF), Kendriya Bhandar and National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED). They have given us quotation," the Chief Minister told reporters. He said, "We are negotiating with them. Today the negotiations will happen. After that we will get to know the quantity, quality and price of rice will be decided." When asked about purchasing from t

K'taka CM blames BJP for 'financial indiscipline' and 'commission racket'

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday blamed the previous BJP government for 'financial indiscipline' that has caused problems for government contractors, and said it would take some time to fix the state's economy. He assured the contractors that the 'commission racket' will be busted during his tenure. Financial indiscipline and commission menace of the previous government has created problems for contractors. It will take some time to fix the economy, which was derailed by BJP, Siddaramaiah told contractors during a meeting here. The contractors led by the Karnataka State Contractors' Association president D Kempanna requested him to release the pending bills of contractors worth Rs 20,000 crore and issue the letter of credit. A review meeting of BBMP and Finance Department Secretaries will be called after the budget session, the CM assured them. He requested that the withheld amount be released and a no objection certificate be issued. Later speaking to reporters, .

There should be no hate politics in providing rice to poor: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that he has told Union Home Minister Amit Shah that there should be no "hate politics", in supply of rice to the state, for a scheme aimed at the poor. The Chief Minister met Shah on Wednesday night and held discussions regarding the supply of rice to the state, for its 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides an additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families. "I met Amit Shah last night. I have brought to his notice that FCI had agreed to supply rice and had also written a letter in this regard, but all of a sudden the very next day they said they cannot supply. Prima facie it looks like politics has been played here. Let there be no hate politics in this, as this is the programme for providing rice to the poor," Siddaramaiah said. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, "Shah told me that he will speak to the union minister concerned and come back." Siddaramaiah and his ministers for the last few days, have been ...

Congress ministers fixing commission rates for department work: Bommai

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lashed out at the Congress govt in the state and said that it did not make advance preparations to provide rice

Won't give any chance for unnatural deaths in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said he will not give any chance for unnatural deaths in the state, adding that there is no room for communal clashes

Karnataka CM to call industrial bodies for discussion on power tariff

In the wake of outrage by certain industrial bodies over hike in electricity tariff rate, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would call a meeting with the industrialists for discussions regarding the concerns. The Chief Minister said the uproar was uncalled for as the electricity bills will come down from next month onwards. As the Hubballi-based Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) gave a call for bandh on June 22, the Chief Minister said the office-bearers of industrial bodies were invited to clear the doubts. "To convince them, facts and figures have been given. I hope that they are convinced. Our officials also called them and spoke to them," Siddaramaiah told reporters here. According to him, the power bills looked exorbitant to some because people had received the charges for two months. "Tariff will not come down. It is appearing heavy because two months' bill was given. Next month onwards, the bills will be given for each month. Subsequentl

Karnataka CM writes to Union Health Minister on setting up AIIMS in Raichur

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday wrote a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, urging him to set up AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Raichur. He requested the Union Minister to instruct the concerned to take steps in this regard. "Being one of the aspirational districts of the country, Raichur has lower health, education level and per capita income than other regions. The area is also at a geographical disadvantage since it experiences extreme weather conditions," Siddaramaiah said in the letter. "Such disadvantages have put Raichur in dire need of robust medical institutions. Establishment of AIIMS will ensure world class facilities in the region," he said. There is a growing demand from the people and representatives for seeing this proposal to fruition, he further said, adding that Kalyan Karnataka region is one of our top priorities. Karnataka Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju had recently written to

Rice available in Chhattisgarh but transportation cost higher: K'taka CM

Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said that he had talked to the Telangana Chief Minister (K. Chandrashekar Rao), but there is no availability of rice there

K'taka BJP asks Siddaramaiah for FCI's commitment letter over rice supply

BJP National General Secretary C.T. Ravi slammed the Congress govt in Karnataka for accusing the Centre of not providing rice despite having sufficient stocks