Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/EP)
Udupi, Apr 27: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced three schemes for the fishing community at a conference of the fishermen in Uchila on Thursday, April 27.
The schemes included a Rs 10 lac insurance cover, Rs 1 lac interest free loan for fisherwomen and Rs 25 subsidy on 500 ltrs of diesel for boats everyday.
As per schedule Rahul Gandhi arrived at Adi Udupi before visiting Uchila and had an interaction with the fishermen of the coastal region at Mahalaxmi temple hall.
K C Venugopal, Veerapa Moily, B K Hariprasad, Pratap Chandra Shetty and candidates Vinay Kumar Sorake and Prasad Kanchan took part in it.
Rahul Gandhi said Congress intends to help the poor and the downtrodden. "People have not elected the previous BJP government. It was formed on the strength of money and wrong means. The people of Karnataka know it. Democracy was rendered weak by them by buying MLAs. BJP leaders have said that seats are available for Rs 2.5 crores. The current elections are between two ways of thinking. Congress wants the welfare of the poor," he said.
He said, the BJP had formed the government by investing several crores of rupees and buying the MLAs. He said BJP MLAs have said that one can become the chief minister by paying Rs 2,500 crores.
Dingaleshwara Swamy had said for the first time in history that there was corruption. He said that 30% was collected from him because he was a spiritual person. "The state government collects 40% commission for every appointment it makes. Where is this money going?," he wondered.
"The collection of percentage from the swamy is documented. Every appointment is based on commission. The money belongs to the people. The taxpayers money does not go to the poor or fishermen. It does not get utilised for education or health. The poor get nothing out of it," he charged.
The Congress leader said, "Corruption has exceeded the limit. Prices have risen. The government has collected thousands of crores of rupees from sale of petrol and diesel. Poor people are devastated by corruption and price rise. The rich do not get affected. Therefore the Congress party has promised four guaranteed schemes. We will not wait for four or five years to fulfil these promises. We will decide within an hour of the government coming to power. Our promises will be fulfilled by the first cabinet."
"We will bring the Grihalaxmi scheme for women in the first cabinet. Women will get Rs 2,000 every month. Every household will get 200 units of free electricity. Ten kilos of rice will be distributed to every household through the Anna Bhagya scheme. The unemployed youth will get a monthly dole of Rs 3,000 while the unemployed diploma holders will get a stipend Rs 1,500 every month," Rahul Gandhi said.
"We have already implemented our programmes at Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh," he said.
The Congress leader said, "Prime Minister Modi had promised to credit Rs 15 lacs into every individual's account. We do not make false promises like him. We will bring a new scheme for fishermen soon after coming to power. There will be an insurance cover of Rs 10 lacs to them. Fisherwomen will get a loan of Rs one lac without interest. A subsidy of Rs 25 will be given for 500 litres of diesel," he said.
The fishermen spoke about dredging and requested for a Fisheries University to be established. Women requested for ambulance facilities and a separate ministry to rescue fishermen. They requested similar facilities to fishermen as that are available to farmers.
Rahul Gandhi said that he is aware of competition between big and small fishermen which should stop. "I know the pain of fishermen as I had gone with fishermen at 4 am in Kerala.
He promised the fishermen that a definite programme will be prepared for them. He said that he is a member of their family and would always have continuous conversations with them.
"The Centre has not disclosed the details of the caste census, Though 70% persons are entitled for reservation, only 7% are in powerful positions. I have requested Prime Minister Modi to remove the cap on reservation as it is not scientific. We will discard it if our government comes to power at the Centre," he said.
The fishermen gifted a big kingfish to Rahul Gandhi.
Later, he visited Mahalakshmi Temple, Uchila.