Daijiworld Media Network – Koppal
Koppal, July 9: Chief minister’s economic advisor Basavaraja Rayareddy has said that men in Karnataka may also be allowed to travel free of cost in government buses, like women under the Stree Shakti scheme, if the state’s financial situation improves.
Speaking at a programme in Hirevankalkunta village of Yelburga taluk, Rayareddy addressed recent controversy around his remarks suggesting rural beneficiaries may have to give up guarantee schemes to get better roads. Clarifying the statement, he said it was made in jest and had been misunderstood by some.
“Later, I also said many rural roads are waiting for development and we will take them up one by one,” he added.
Rayareddy asserted that the state government is not facing any financial constraints. “There is no shortage of funds with our government. We have allocated Rs 42,000 crore just for the education department. The pending bills from the previous government were Rs 2 lakh crore. But we are managing it. The fact that we presented a Rs 4.09 lac crore budget is proof that there is no obstacle to development,” he said.
When asked whether he would be made a minister, Rayareddy responded, “There is no news on this. Siddaramaiah has always supported me. We have remained united since the time he became an MLA in 1983 and I in 1985.”
He further added that Siddaramaiah would continue as chief minister for the next three years.