BENGALURU: Former chief minister and JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy, reacting to the delay in implementation of ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme by the state government, on Wednesday said, “People are watching the drama of two major parties in the state. It is the decision of the people and they elected the Congress to power. The Congress is now accusing the Centre of not giving additional rice to the state and staged a statewide protest yesterday. But no one is reminding the government of its responsibilities.
He also said, “What was the Congress thinking while announcing those guarantees? If they need additional rice, the government is supposed to meet with central ministers. What is the use in writing letter to officials of the FCI? The Centre is also following some guidelines”.
Speaking in favour of the Centre, Kumaraswamy said the central government has its own commitments to the country. “Why will they give rice if pressure if exterted? I never asked for money from the Centre when I waived the farmers’ loan from nationalised banks during the coalition government”, he pointed out.
“Today, the Congress party is in trouble as it guaranteed people 10 kg of rice for every household. The Congress should have been prepared earlier to bear the expenses. How long will this drama continue”, Kumaraswamy slammed the government.
Reacting to PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s allegation that the Centre had hacked the servers, leading to a delay in the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Kumaraswamy questioned why he should even be discussed. “They don’t know anything. Are they ministers? What will the Centre hack? Fixing the problem with the server is your responsibility. Don’t make excuses. All the promises are fake. Now they are realising the reality”, he said.
Referring to the delay in releasing widow pensions Kumaraswamy said, “The state government has not been able to release pensions for five-six months. Let’s see how many people will be given Rs 2,000 under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. Do they have the capacity to give Rs 2,000?”, he questioned.
To a question on whether JD(S) will stage protest if the Congress guarantees are not implemented, he said, “I am giving time to the government. There is the budget session, a joint session and the governor’s address. There is also a presentation on the vision and plan by this government. Let’s see what will be announced in the budget”.