Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 14: "In two years of coming to power in the state, Congress government has introduced various pro-poor schemes for the welfare of the people in their interest," said B Ramanath Rai, district in-charge minister.
Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office here on Thursday May 14, Rai said, "Chief minister Siddaramaiah's government with an intention to make Karnataka 'hunger-free state' is providing free rice for the poor, but a few are misleading the people by claiming that this would make people lazy.
"The state government has introduced various programmes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya and so on for the socially backward classes. Also several programmes for the welfare of SC/ST, drinking water facilities, housing facilities, loans waivers and schemes in the field of education and several other programmes for the welfare of people have been introduced. After Congress government came to power, it also provided relaxation in the 9/11 single site rules," he said.
"Congress passed the Panchayat Raj Act during the Rajiv Gandhi period. This Act was passed keeping faith in decentralization of power. The BJP opposed this but the Act was anyway passed. Congress has never interfered in the affairs panchayats but the BJP has," he said.
Hitting out at detractors for criticising welfare programmes for AHINDA communities, he said, "What is wrong in providing welfare programme for AHINDA or the suppressed classes in society? AHINDA communities are deprived of social justice. The Congress has always worked for the poor and the suppressed classes and strived to provide them social justice."
He further added, "Congress party has good prospects in the upcoming gram panchayat elections. The party will be blessed for the good works it has done for the people. Though the gram panchayat elections are not held on party lines, the Congress candidates will win majority of seats."
He also criticized the union BJP-led government for not bringing back black money as promised prior to the Lok Sabha elections.
Mayor Jacintha Alfred, Ibrahim Kodijal, Shashidar Hegde, Ashok D, Nazir Bajal and others were present.