Koppal (Karnataka), Sep 5 (IANS) BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Saturday accused the government in Karnataka of being in a “deep slumber” and said the BJP’s ongoing Ballari Chalo padyatra was aimed at “waking up” the government and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Speaking to the media at the APMC yard in Karatagi on the fifth day of the Ballari Chalo padyatra, Vijayendra alleged that the state government was building “castles in the air” in the name of its guarantee schemes and was doing little else for the people.
“The government has spent the last three years extensively publicising its guarantees. I had said earlier that this is not a popular government but an advertisement government,” he claimed.
Vijayendra alleged that the Congress was under the illusion that it would return to power in the next elections despite having failed people across sections of society.
“Even ruling party MLAs are saying that the government has not been able to take off. At least now, the government should wake up and show concern for the poor and farmers,” he said.
Alleging irregularities worth Rs 5,000 crore in the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Vijayendra said neither the Chief Minister nor the ministers had provided a clear explanation on the issue.
He questioned the role of guarantee scheme committees formed at the district and taluk levels, alleging that taxpayers’ money was being spent on these committees while large-scale irregularities were taking place.
Vijayendra also criticised the implementation of the Shakti scheme, claiming that many rural areas lacked adequate bus services and that schoolchildren were facing difficulties as a result.
He said the previous BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa had provided bicycles to schoolchildren and alleged that the Congress government had discontinued the initiative.
“There are no doctors in hospitals and no teachers in schools in many parts of North Karnataka. Instead of establishing major industries in the region and creating employment, the government has failed to provide adequate teachers and doctors,” he alleged.
He also alleged that the government had failed to properly provide old-age and disability pensions and had discontinued the milk incentive being provided to farmers under the previous BJP government.
Accusing the government of increasing the number of liquor outlets to mobilise funds for its guarantee schemes, Vijayendra said Karnataka was being turned into a “state of drinkers”.
“The government gives Rs 2,000 under Gruha Lakshmi and then takes back much more from the same families through liquor sales,” he alleged.
Vijayendra claimed that the BJP had provided better welfare guarantees than the Congress and had undertaken irrigation projects. He accused the state government of failing to create employment for youngsters and alleged that funds meant for the welfare of Dalits had also been diverted towards the guarantee schemes.
He urged the state government to waive farmers’ loans taken from cooperative societies under its jurisdiction.
“Instead of showing people stars in the sky, the government should demonstrate responsibility. The Chief Minister should stop shirking responsibility and merely pointing fingers at the Centre,” he said.
–IANS
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