Chief Minister Siddaramaiah used the occasion of Independence Day to issue a stern warning against those disturbing communal and social harmony. He warned that his government will not tolerate spreading false news on social media, disturbing social harmony, and acts in the name of moral policing and communal goondaism in Karnataka.
Delivering the Independence Day address at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru on August 15, the Chief Minister appealed to people of Karnataka, especially the youth, not to yield to provocation by vested interests, and to uphold the principle of harmonious life.
“We follow what Jnanpith awardee Kuvempu propagated in his poetry — Sarva Janangada Shantiya Thota (peaceful garden of all faiths),” he said.
The Chief Minister sent out a strong political message ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by promising to strengthen the new Karnataka development model marked by inclusiveness as opposed to a divide-and-rule policy. He invoked doyen of Kannada literary world Pampa, who said ‘human race is one’, to emphasise the need for inclusiveness.
Unlike the State budget, where he launched a direct offensive against the BJP, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resorted to a veiled attack on the BJP and its ideology without naming the opposition party.
“People of Karnataka have stood against the efforts of divide-and-rule policy. All-inclusive is our policy. Hence, people have chosen us to govern the State,” the Chief Minister said. “India belongs to all. It is a country where there is unity in diversity. We must remember this every moment. Citizens of Karnataka are convinced that peace in society is inevitable for development, and hence, rejected deliberate efforts of negative forces.”
He alleged that the country has been facing a crisis in the last few years.
“Hatred, violence, suspicion, revenge and intolerance are growing. Rather, there are efforts to fuel these traits. Some sections of society are producing these traits, and are also projecting that these have acceptance. There is a need to defeat these efforts, as they are aimed at creating negativity. As a civilised society, we will be doomed if such efforts are not thwarted. Only peace and harmony can ensure development. Any society marred by violence, chaos, lack of law and order nurtures poverty,” he said.
Expressing concern that despite attaining freedom, there are impediments to inclusive development, as only 10% of people had accumulated 78% of the country’s wealth, he said his government had taken up implementation of five guarantee schemes to ensure social justice in terms of accumulation of resources and their redistribution.
“We strongly believe in the premise of economist Amartya Sen that development is real freedom. Hence, we have introduced the five guarantee schemes,” he said.
“People were in distress due to price rise, unemployment, corruption and discrimination due to caste and religion. Per capita income in several districts has not increased when compared to our previous tenure, and there has been an increase in poverty. Considering this, our government followed Universal basic income policy, and introduced the five guarantee schemes to boost the economic and social energy of the people.”
Referring to the probe ordered by the government with respect to alleged corruption in various schemes, he said, “We are determined to take stern action against the culprits.”
The issue of Karnataka not getting Central grants in tune with its tax collection also figured in his speech. “Karnataka is the second-highest tax paying State in India. We are paying over ₹4 lakh crore in the form of taxes and duties to the Centre. However, we are getting just ₹50,000 crore in return from the Centre. Karnataka will be the richest State if we get what we actually deserve,” he said.
Welfare schemes of Congress government in Karnataka
Under the Shakti scheme, daily up to 50 lakh women passengers are availing free bus services in Karnataka, he said and added that, so far, 38.54 crore free rides have been registered.
Under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, which promises 200 units of free electricity to households, 1.49 crore families have registered online. People got benefits of this scheme from August 1. Karnataka has earmarked ₹13,910 crore for its implementation.
Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, the Chief Minister said the government promises to provide 10 kg rice to ensure a hunger-free State.
Owing to the non-cooperation of the Centre to provide additional rice, Mr Siddaramaiah said his government decided to pay cash instead of 5 kg of rice to each beneficiary every month. According to him, 1.04 crore families are receiving financial assistance under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Under Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which provides ₹2,000 per month to the women head of families, Mr Siddaramaiah said Direct Benefit Transfer into the accounts of the beneficiary women will commence on August 27. He noted that 1.08 crore women have enrolled for the scheme.
