From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 13: With high schools being reopened from Monday after almost week-long forced holidays over the violent incidents and protests in some parts of the State over the hijab vs saffron shawls row, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed hopes that the classes will be held peacefully.
Speaking to media persons in Hubballi on Sunday, February 13, he said the district administrations all over the State have been put on high alert as the High Schools are reopening from Monday. The district Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and officials of the Education Department have been instructed to work in coordination and visit the schools to create harmonious conditions.
A decision on reopening of Pre-University classes would be taken after reviewing the situation, he said.
Various kinds of news are being spread on the Hijab issue in social media and police officials are monitoring it.
Normalcy should be restored in schools and colleges. Present priority is to create a conducive atmosphere for the students to pursue their studies, Bommai said.
The BJP leadership at the national level is apparently worried at the negative publicity and the fall-out of the ugly controversy over the wearing of the hijab by Muslim girl students and protests by the Hindu community students wearing saffron shawls, which has attracted international media attention and even raised in the British parliament, the United States and also by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The three-judge bench of the State High Court is also taking up the several writ petitions over the issue from Monday. The issue was also raised in the Supreme Court.
Naturally, escalation of the trouble would be harmful for the country’s image abroad even as political polarization over religious matters could be useful to the ruling BJP in the ongoing elections in the five States, including Uttar Pradesh.
'A budget for all round development of Karnataka'
Answering questions from the media, Bommai said the State’s forthcoming budget for the year 2022-23 would be aimed at all-round development of Karnataka.
"The thinking is on all round development of Karnataka. Economy has suffered setbacks during the last two consecutive years due to Covid pandemic. The economy is showing signs of attaining stability in the last 4 to 5 months. Revenue collection too is recovering,’’ he said pointing out that the budget would be prepared with an objective of overall economic development, public welfare with financial discipline.
"We want to give a boost to the economy. Greater priority would be on welfare of the poor," he said.
Rejuvenation of RTCs/ESCOMS
The Chief Minister said a committee headed by retired IAS officer M R Srinivasamurthy has been constituted to suggest measures for revival of State Road Transport Corporations including NWRTC, KKRTC and BMTC.
The committee would submit its interim report soon suggesting measures to make these RTCs financially self-sustaining, plug pilferages and generate revenue.
Similarly, a committee has been constituted for rejuvenation of ESCOMS as well to bolster their financial strength. State government has decided to bring special reforms in RTCs and ESCOMs, Bommai said.
The Chief Minister participated in a series of programmes in his assembly constituency of Shiggaon in Haveri district. Several cabinet ministers accompanied Bommai during the programmes.