BJP to release a Black paper against the State Government: MP

Bengaluru Express
Haveri, Feb. 20:

Former CM and Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha member Basavaraja Bommai urged the incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to release a White paper before presenting the budget to tell how much money was allocated in last year’s budget and how much has been spent. If he fails to do so, the Karnataka BJP unit will be ready to release a Black Paper highlighting the failures of the state government.

Speaking to the media in Haveri on Thursday, he declined to comment on Congress’ internal matters but volunteered to say that the people have given them a mandate to govern, but they are unable to do so due to financial mismanagement. Recently, Siddaramaiah held a meeting with officials of the Backward Classes Department and Corporations, but there was no discussion on how much money has been spent on backward class welfare this year. The leaders of backward communities should have questioned the CM, but since they didn’t, the BJP will do so as the responsible opposition.

Closing varsities not good

The MP said the reported decision to shut down newly established universities is highly unjust. In today’s digital age, they have several technological advantages. Large campuses are not necessary anymore, and universities can function with minimal expenditure. In the past two years, eight new universities have proven this by operating efficiently. The state government allocates hundreds of crores to old universities, yet they struggle to pay salaries and pensions. Many universities have no students but remain hubs of corruption. On the other hand, newly established universities have been functioning effectively, publishing results in just 20 days.

” Many girl students cannot travel far for higher education, and having a university in their hometown allows parents to send their daughters to study. However, the government is attempting to shut down these universities just because they were established during the BJP’s tenure,” the former CM said.

Clean Chit to CM expected

He said the Lokayukta’s clean chit to CM Siddaramaiah was expected. The Lokayukta has taken a lenient stance toward the CM. Even though it is an autonomous institution, the investigation is carried out by police officers under the state government’s control, leading to a predictable outcome. This is why they are demanding an inquiry by a central autonomous agency. The court will decide on the ED investigation. The B-report submitted by the Lokayukta police will also be scrutinized in court, and eventually, the truth will come out.

Bommai alleged that several individuals, including CM Siddaramaiah, had been involved in site allotment scams amounting to thousands of crores. “If everything was above board, why did the CM return the sites? He owe a reply to the people.

‘Griha Lakshmi’ scheme eclipsed

He said any welfare scheme should be properly planned and funded. The guarantee schemes were launched without prior preparation and solely for political gain, which is why they are now facing financial difficulties. The Griha Lakshmi scheme is consuming a significant portion of the budget. Finance department officials are considering suspending it for two to three months to save funds, which shows that the scheme is in trouble. Since this government came to power, the scheme has been used as an indirect method of bribing voters just before elections, yet the Election Commission remains silent.

Release honororium

The former CM urged the government to release the promised guarantee money. Energy Minister K.J. George recently questioned whether this amount was a salary. It is not a salary; it is an honorarium. If the government truly respects women, it should release the honorarium funds. If not, it means they do not value women. No one here is begging; they are simply asking for what was promised.