The CM gave a detailed response, by way of a tweet, to the PM’s criticism of Karnataka and Rajasthan, while speaking at an event in Pune on Tuesday. Modi attacked the Congress for offering freebies to people in the two states as a result of which there are no funds left for development programmes. They have, instead, added to the piling government debt.
Siddaramaiah urged Modi to clarify if his criticism of guarantee schemes reflected his personal opinion or that of the BJP.“Please state your and your party’s stance clearly about the guarantee schemes before opposing them. Direct the Karnataka BJP leaders to publicly oppose our guarantee schemes as well.”
“We are ready to face the next Lok Sabha elections with the guarantee schemes as our main agenda. Karnataka BJP leaders are demanding our government to implement all our guarantee schemes immediately,” Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance department said. Former CM BS Yediyurappa, he added, even made a loud protest on the subject.
The CM wondered if the BJP’s promise of three free gas cylinders and half a litre of milk to low-income families was not a freebie. “Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has announced the Ladli-Behena scheme, where the government will deposit Rs 1000 per month into the accounts of women beneficiaries, and he has promised to increase it to Rs 3000. Is this not a free scheme as well? Is the PM-Kisan Samman Yojana, which deposits Rs. 6000 annually into the accounts of farmers, not a freebie..?” The Centre, Siddaramaiah added, was implementing eight freebie schemes with an estimated budget outlay of Rs 1.25 lakh crores.
The voters in Karnataka, the CM said, rejected the BJP rule after suffering inflation and unemployment and its economic mismanagement. “We are making the best efforts to fight against the financial crisis, relieve the burden of debt, and ensure social security for the common people. Karnataka’s model of governance is what is needed for the entire country.”In his budget on July 7, the CM renewed his party’s commitment to implement the five guarantees, which he said will touch about 13 million families. “This means we will be providing on an average additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 monthly to each household, which is about Rs 48,000 to Rs 60,000 every year.”Karnataka is rolling out election promises of supply of free electricity of up to 200 units per month, free 10 kg rice per month, free bus rides for women, Rs 2000 per month per woman head of a family, and Rs 2000 monthly stipend to unemployed graduates and diploma holders.
The Congress regime came under attack after Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, last week, said the government did not have funds for development this year as it had budgeted Rs 40,000 crore for implementing the five election guarantees, and his own Water Resources department too had been without funds.
