Bengaluru, Aug 15 (PTI): Terming as "shameful" recent incidents of atrocities on Dalits, minorities and women in the country, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said a movement akin to the freedom struggle needed to be launched to fight divisive forces.

Delivering his Independence Day speech at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here after unfurling the national flag, he said a nation was best built with love, mutual co-operation and amity, and not by mutual hatredness and ill-will.

"In recent times, the country has witnessed certain inhuman incidents, such as atrocities on Dalits, minorities and women which have made every right-thinking Indian to hang his head in shame and question the very existence of civilised society," he said.

Siddaramaiah said: "Time has indeed come when we need to launch a movement akin to the freedom struggle to fight against divisive forces, he said adding that it is also the time, when we need to sustain our efforts to remove poverty, illiteracy, superstitions, casteism and communalism which are plaguing our onward march towards progress and prosperity."

Patriotism, in its truest sense, was respecting the freedom of others to follow the practices of their choice. "Patriotism cannot be reduced to mere sloganeering. Patriotism is ushering in an equitable society through the ideals enunciated in the Constitution of India," he said.

He said the concept of freedom was neither shallow nor narrow and it was not merely limited to any particular field, let alone politics.

"Freedom exists in the use of language, observance of cultural and traditional practices including dress and eating habits," he added.

Stating that the result of his government's 'sincere efforts' during the last three years was before the people to be seen, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of "immense pride" that through the four budgets presented, his government had been able to fulfill nearly three-fourths of the promises made by the Congress in its election manifesto.

Siddaramaiah also reviewed the parade and took salute from different contingents during the march past as part of the 70th Independence Day celebrations.

I-Day freebies for BPL families, students in Karnataka

Bengaluru, Aug 15 (IANS): Marking the 70th year of Independence Day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced an additional kilogram of free rice to below poverty line (BPL) families from November 1.

He also announced extension of free milk supply to students in state-run schools to five days from three days from September 1.

"Under Anna Bhagya Yojana (rice scheme), one more kg will be given to BPL families which are entitled to 4 kg rice and 1 kg ragi (millet) or wheat per person per month free of cost from November 1, when we celebrate the diamond jubilee (60 years) of the state's formation in 1956," Siddaramaiah said in a statement here.

Around 1.09 crore BPL families are beneficiaries of the free foodgrains across the state.

In the state's northern region where wheat and jowar are staple food, BPL families are given 4 kg wheat and 1 kg rice per person per month with no upper limit. They will be entitled to one more kg of wheat or ragi.

The BPL card holders are also eligible for 1 kg sugar at Rs 13.50, palm oil at Rs 25 per litre and iodised salt at Rs 2 per kg, which are subsidised by the state government.

Under Ksheera Bhagya Yojana (nutritious milk scheme), about 10 million boys and girls reading in state-run schools up to Class 10 and 'anganwadis' will be given a glass (200 ml) of milk from Monday to Friday instead of Monday to Wednesday from September 1 to ensure their full attendance every week.

The state government also plans to soon supply tur dal (green gram) at a subsidised rate to BPL ration card holders, as it is sold at Rs 150-180 per kg in the retail market.

"Free Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) hot spots will be provided in major cities and Wi-Fi facilities at 5,600 gram panchayats (local bodies) across the state from November 1 to provide seamless connectivity and speed up the 'Digital India' initiative," the statement added.

CM offers to waive off 50% of farmers' loans

Karnataka on Monday offered to waive off 50 per cent of the cooperative loans availed of by the state's farmers if the Centre agreed to write off a similar percentage of loans sanctioned to them by nationalised banks.

"Our government is ready to waive off 50 per cent of the cooperative loans availed by farmers, provided the Union government too agrees to write off 50 per cent of the loan amount financed by nationalised banks," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in his address at the 70th Independence Day function here.

Farmers across the state have availed of loans totalling Rs 29,000 crore from various nationalised banks during 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Asserting that his government was committed to prevent farmers from falling into a debt trap, the Chief Minister said interest-free loans were provided to them and repayments deferred by one year due to two consecutive years of drought.

"Cumulative interest amounting to Rs 316.54 crore was waived off on cooperative loans availed up to September 30, 2015, by 2.07 lakh farmers," Siddaramaiah said.

As a result of 50 per cent increase in loans to farmers during the last two years, the state government was bearing their interest burden to the tune of Rs 1,800 crore.

"We had to declare 136 of the 176 taluks (sub-districts) drought-hit due to deficit south-west monsoon in the previous year (2015-16)," he added.