Kalaburagi: BJP MLC Dr. C.T. Ravi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, alleging that its guarantee schemes had become synonymous with scams and price hikes, while several sections of the public continued to face financial hardship.
Ravi alleged that payments due to farmers for the procurement of red gram, jowar and ragi remained pending. He also claimed that more than ₹650 crore in incentive payments owed to milk producers had not been released.
He said guest lecturers had not received their honorarium for three to four months and that contract employees had gone several months without salaries. Pension payments to 23 lakh beneficiaries, including senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities, had also been delayed, with some reportedly waiting for eight to nine months.
Ravi further criticised the government over increases in the prices of milk, petrol, diesel and electricity, as well as higher stamp duty and property registration charges, alleging that these had added to the financial burden on the public.
‘People’s issues should take priority’
Ravi said the Cabinet meeting should have focused on pressing issues such as drought conditions, drinking water scarcity, power shortages, pending payments to farmers and future development plans.
He questioned the Chief Minister’s reported warning to a minister in connection with the sting operation controversy, alleging that the issue was diverting attention from public concerns. Claiming that drought-relief measures were inadequate in several districts, he demanded a comprehensive investigation into the controversy.
Ravi seeks first-preference votes for Shashil Namoshi
Ravi appealed to voters to re-elect NDA-backed BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi to the Legislative Council with first-preference votes. He said Namoshi had consistently raised teachers’ concerns, including increasing guest lecturers’ honorarium, shifting from the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), addressing recruitment disparities and securing salary increments.
Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi, Ravi said Legislative Council elections might not change the government but remained an important platform for expressing public opinion. He urged educated voters to make an informed decision and support Namoshi.
Highlighting the BJP’s “Nation First” policy, Ravi said the party prioritised the empowerment of the poor. He claimed that more than ₹36 lakh crore had been transferred to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, helping prevent the diversion of funds through intermediaries.
MLAs Basavaraj Mattimadu and Avinash Jadhav, BJP Kalaburagi Rural district president Ashok Bagali, MLC B.G. Patil, BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi and former MP Umesh Jadhav were among those present.
