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Raichur (Karnataka), Oct 22 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said if BJP leaders really care about the state and are committed to its issues, they should come together and put pressure on the Central government to implement major irrigation projects like Upper Krishna, Mekedatu and Mahadayi.
Speaking at a meeting of Congress workers held at Panchmukhi in Raichur district, Shivakumar, who is also KPCC president, addressed the gathering on Wednesday.
He said, “BJP leaders, whenever you decide, I am ready to meet you. I have already appealed to the Union ministers and the Prime Minister about ten times, yet no help has been received. Even Rs 5,300 crore announced in the Union Budget has not been released. This shows that neither the BJP nor the Central government cares about the farmers.”
“We have implemented five guarantees because the people have given us power. When the TB reservoir gates were broken last year, the opposition criticized us. But within a week, we worked day and night to fix them. Now, orders have been issued to replace all the gates. I tried to meet the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister three times to discuss the issue, but he did not give us time. 30 TMC of water is being wasted due to silt accumulation. Is. We are trying. Make alternative arrangements to utilize it, but Andhra Pradesh is not cooperating,” he said, expressing disappointment.
“Wherever Rahul Gandhi did Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress did not lose. Rahul Gandhi has given us so much strength. Sonia Gandhi rejected the post of Prime Minister twice and said that economist Manmohan Singh should become PM for the country. Tell me, will any of you give up the Panchayat seat also?” he asked.
He told the workers, “We thought about the lives of the poor and introduced five guarantees. The opposition said that these schemes would bankrupt the government. But now states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have copied our schemes. In Bihar, they are offering Rs 10,000 at a time to women. This shows that they are copying our guarantee model. Through this, we have empowered you to reach out to the people with confidence.”
He said, “Through irrigation schemes, we are helping farmers by providing free electricity to their pump sets. For this we are spending Rs 20,000 crore annually. We have spent Rs 53,000 crore on guarantee schemes. By combining all the welfare programs in all departments, our government is putting Rs 1 lakh crore in the hands of the people every year.”
“Through these efforts, the government has strengthened you. It was the Congress government that brought nationalization of banks, Food Security Act, mid-day meals for school children, pensions and NREGA. Has the BJP ever launched such schemes for the poor? If there is any government that works for the welfare of the poor, it is the Congress government.”
Shivakumar said, “There should be no differences among party workers. You all should work unitedly to strengthen the organization. There should be no factions here. There is only one group – the Congress group. You all should live like children of one mother.”
–IANS
MKA/PGH