Bangalore: Exclusive - We will safeguard communal harmony, says CM

Gabriel Vaz
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
(Exclusive interview for Daijiworld Weekly)

 
Bangalore, Jun 9: Four decades after late D Devaraj Urs, Karnataka’s cultural capital city of Mysore and the district bearing the name of the State’s second most important city after Bangalore, is proud to have a Chief Minister in Siddaramaiah.

Urs was 57 when he became the State’s 8th CM in 1972 and rose to successfully rule the State for two terms from 1972-77 and from 1978-80. He is still revered as the champion of the backward classes and other small caste groupings besides being the architect of the land reforms.

Siddaramaiah has now become the State’s 22nd chief minister at 64. Belonging to the backward community of Kurubas or Shepherds, Siddaramaiah started off in the Ram Manohar Lohia brand of socialism and the farmers’ movement of the militant ryot leader Prof M D Nanjundaswamy and sought to build a niche for himself by espousing the cause of AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) before joining the Congress party from the post-emergency Janata parivar.

Narrowly missing the coveted post of chief ministership twice in the past and serving as the deputy chief minister twice besides having the rare distinction of presenting seven budgets, Siddaramaiah has been third time lucky when the Congress party romped home with a clear majority of 121 in the 224-member assembly, which has just been further strengthened with the victory of the Congress candidate K Venkatesh from the Periyapatna assembly constituency in Mysore district.

Known for his baritone voice, no-nonsense and tough task-master image, Siddaramaiah is soft at heart as can be judged from the large number of people from all walks of life, especially the downtrodden and vulnerable sections of society, who throng his residence or during his tours.

Clad in his usual attire of dhoti-jubba with an angavastra over his shoulders, Siddaramaiah never feels ashamed to exhibit his rustic background and manners. "It is the way I am. I can’t change myself to suit the sensibilities or likes of the people," he says in a matter-of-fact way as if to suggest that it is for the people and even officials to accept him as he is.

Known to sport his trade-mark stubble, Siddaramaiah is a workaholic despite the impression that one gets as being a laid-back politician. But don’t be fooled by first impressions as he is very sharp and shrewd, and is known to tackle bureaucrats by quickly cutting through the long briefings to pinpoint the crux of the matter.

Despite his busy schedule, official meetings, preparations for the State’s budget, public and private engagements, frequent callers, the chief minister took time to speak to Daijiworld’s Special Correspondent in Bangalore, Gabriel Vaz, in the first full-length media interview.

Excerpts from the interview:
 
Daijiworld: Congratulations on the Congress party’s victory in the assembly elections and on your becoming the Chief Minister on my behalf as well as from all of us in Daijiworld.com and in the Daijiworld English Weekly.

CM: Thank you very much. I and the Congress party are grateful to the people of the coastal region.  I am aware of the popularity of Daijiworld and got to know more during my frequent visits to Mangalore, Udupi and other places in the coastal region. I along with KPCC President Dr G Parameshwar and other party leaders took part in the Ullal to Udupi padayatra – Congress Nadige Saamarasyada Kadege (Congress march for harmony) – and am quite familiar with the conditions in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

Q.  So you are aware of the problems of the people of the coastal region. The series of attacks against churches and places of worship of Christians, the pub-attacks, home-stay episode and various acts of moral policing…

A. Yes, of course, I am quite familiar with all the problems and especially during the last five years of BJP rule, when I was the Opposition leader, and as you know, our party took up the issue in a big way in the assembly.  All these incidents are things of the past. We will never allow recurrence of such nasty incidents which is blot on democracy and a challenge to the rule of law. Nobody whether they belong to Bajrang Dal, Sri Ram Sene, VHP or any other outfit will not be allowed to take law into their own hands and will be dealt with sternly. Religious freedom and communal harmony will be safeguarded under any circumstances. Muslims, Christians or people belonging to different faiths and religions will be given full security.
 

Fundamentalists will be Curbed
 

Q. The pub attacks and the incidents against girls and women…

A. I am coming to that. We will ensure that all lawless elements will put down with a heavy hand. That is precisely the reason why K J George has been entrusted with the home portfolio. We will never allow any kind of fundamentalists to thrive and hold the people to ransom. The very fact that BJP has been routed in the coastal region, which was supposed to be their stronghold, explains the reason why the Congress party has regained the confidence of the people.

Q. Now that your party has returned to power in the State on its own and you are the chief minister, what does your government have to offer to the people of the coastal region?

A. I have already answered your question pertaining to the law and order situation. But let me reiterate the point that the government will not spare anybody, however high and mighty they may be, and ensure that people of all religions and faiths, women and other weaker sections are provided with full safety and protection.  This applies all over Karnataka. I am very firm on that.
 

Plans Afoot to Check Sea-Erosion

Q. Talking about the problems of coastal region, you might perhaps be aware of the constant problem of sea erosion that plays havoc during the monsoon season almost every year.

A. Yes, I am aware of it. Though it is a problem that cannot be tackled by the State Government alone on account of the huge financial outlays necessary, we will come out with some concrete plan of action soon. You will know it in the budget that I am going to present shortly.

Q. The younger generation and young voters seem to have extended their support to Congress along with your traditional supporters from the minorities, backward classes and dalits.

A. That is very much evident because we have a team of young, talented and capable leaders. In addition, the mess created by the previous government and the series of corruption charges, court cases and other irregularities must have helped us a lot. We know the expectations of the people are very high. I plan to really give a big boost to promote youth power.

Q. So you have made up your mind on presenting a new budget for the current year although the first quarter is already over?

A. Why not? The budget presented by the previous government is actually meaningless.  What is the point in presenting the budget in the first half of February even before the Central budget when everybody knew that assembly elections were due? In any case, it is the Congress party which has been given the mandate to rule the State and it is quite natural that the plans and programmes announced by the previous rulers are reviewed.
 

New Budget Likely on July 12
 

Q. When will be budget be presented?

A. I have decided that the budget session of the State Legislature will be held next month and the date of presentation of the budget for the year 2013-14 has been tentatively fixed for July 12.

Q. All the three chief ministers under the BJP government came out with a separate budget for agriculture. Will you continue with the practice?

A. I have already clarified my position. Let me say it again. I don’t believe in making token gestures or such gimmicks. Did the agri budgets really help the farmers? Were any new schemes and specific measures unveiled in the budget that helped the farmers? I don’t think farmers can be fooled with such gestures.

Q. Coming from a rural background and familiar with the problems of farmers, what are your plans to improve the lot of farmers and enhance productivity in the agriculture sector?

A. I am seriously considering the proposal to set up an Agriculture Prices Commission to fix prices of agriculture commodities on the basis of actual costs. The market intervention scheme also needs to be revamped and the crop insurance scheme streamlined to ensure that the farmers get compensated in the event of crop failure and the compensation amount must be determined on scientific basis. It is too early to spell out all details. We need to consult the agricultural and technical experts.

Q. What will be the main focus of the budget?

A. You know very well that I cannot divulge details of the budget. But we will take steps to recast some of the policies and programmes and present our own schemes and programmes. A conscious effort will be made to implement the electoral promises made in our manifesto.
 

No Going Back on Rice at Re 1/kg
 
Q. True, the details of the budget cannot be divulged. But, surely, you can spell out the priorities and thrust of the government.

A. Agriculture, farming community, irrigation, augmenting power generation and continuing with the power sector reforms, tackling the drinking water problem and expediting the infra-structure development programmes are the key priorities of the government along with social justice and protection of women, minorities and deprived sections of society. Inclusive growth will be the thrust of the government.

Q. On the implementation of the poll promises, you seem to have suffered a setback in implementing your decision of launching the distribution of 30 kegs of rice at Re. 1 per kg to the below poverty line (BPL) families from June 1.

A. We were forced to delay the implementation by a month. It will definitely be implemented from July 1. There is no question of going back on our promise.  We are committed to implementing the supply of 30 kegs of rice at Re. 1 per kg to the poorer sections and will go ahead with the programmed as promised in our manifesto under any circumstances. If we are not able to get sufficient quantities of rice allotments from the Centre, we will have to make procurements from the market. The financial burden may go up to Rs 6,000 core. When the Food Security Bill comes into force all over the country, it will certainly help.
 

Never Promised Cheap Liquor
 

Q. The steps and reliefs announced by you soon after being sworn in involved a financial outgo of Rs 4,500 core over a full year. Will the government be able to implement all the poll promises?

A. Sure. We will certainly implement the promises made in our election manifesto. But please remember that the poll promises are to be fulfilled over the full term of five years and not in the first year itself. We will find ways and means to implement the promises and raise the necessary resources.

Q. Your proposal to sell cheap liquor has already become controversial with JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy alleging that the ruling party is throwing a red carpet welcome to the liquor barons for funding the Congress party’s electoral expenses.

A. I don’t want to get into trading charges so early in the start of my government. The people are better judges of who is being brought over by which lobby. But let me clarify that I never said the government was planning to manufacture or sell cheap liquor. While speaking after reviewing the Excise Department, I only said there was such a suggestion to prevent people from drinking illicit liquor after the decision to ban the sale of arrack in 1998 as poorer sections of the people were unable to afford expensive Indian Made Liquor. Considering the fact that it is not possible to enforce prohibition or prevent people from drinking, there is need for a wide debate on the entire issue.

Q.  Yet another decision announced by the government is with regard to ban on gutka and paan masala.

A. The proposal has been under consideration of the government for 3 years following the Supreme Court’s direction. We have decided to implement it in order to protect the health of citizens. There is some concern from areca growers. These things need to be discussed and steps need to be taken to protect the interests of farmers.  But some hardships are unavoidable in the larger interests of society.
 

Toning up Administration Big Challenge
 

Q. But what is the first and foremost challenge before the government?

A. Undoubtedly, toning up the administration and making the bureaucracy to deliver goods and services to the people.  Whatever we in the government may propose, it is ultimately the administration and the bureaucracy which has to deliver and match our speed. We can succeed only if the bureaucracy wholeheartedly cooperates and joins hands with us.

Q. There have been series of cases and corruption charges against several leaders in the previous government. In your electoral campaign you had talked about setting up special courts to try and punish the guilty.

A. What I and my party leaders said in the election speeches should be viewed in the right perspective. I am not saying the government will turn a blind eye or go slow. But we will not interfere in the several court cases that are underway and want the law to take its own course. The guilty will certainly be punished after we get the court verdicts. But there will not be any vendetta, witch-hunting and vindictiveness on the part of the government. I, however, wish to make it very clear that we will not tolerate any acts of corruption, scams and other irregularities.

Q. One of the constant problems in the State is the lop-sided development and backwardness of large areas in northern Karnataka.

A. I am aware of it. But the enforcement of the constitutional amendment under Article 371(j) should take care of the problems of the people of Hyderabad-Karnataka region. We are expediting the implementation. The challenges pertaining to regional imbalances would be solved in a systematic manner. We are committed to implementing the Dr D M Nanjundappa panel’s recommendations. All these things take time and cannot be done overnight.
 

Some Disappointment Natural
 

Q.  Given the fact that you are not a born Congressman and the fact that the formation of the cabinet has already created some heartburn among the rank and file, especially some of the senior leaders, will you be able to survive in the Congress party?

A.  I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be able to function without any problems. I have tried my best to provide a fairly balanced team, accommodate young and old blood and get a blend of youthful zeal and experience. As the size of the ministry cannot exceed 34, including myself, some sort of disappointment and resentment is bound to be there as all regions, castes, communities and other interest groups cannot be satisfied. I have strictly followed the directives and guidelines of the Congress party high command and its policies. I am sure all these problems will be sorted out in due course and the government and party will work unitedly.

More importantly, I enjoy the full confidence, cooperation and trust of the State Congress Party President Dr G Parameshwar, who unfortunately lost in the assembly election. The interests of party workers as well as legislators will be safeguarded in the appointments and nominations to boards and corporations and the momentary disillusionment or unhappiness will be solved soon in consultation with the KPCC.

The close cooperation and coordination between the ruling party and the government should yield rich dividends in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls and win majority of the 28 Lok Sabha seats from the State, which will be our joint focus and target.