As the countdown for the transfer of power has begun, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy seems to be getting more generous, when it comes to granting of relief measures to those who approach him for help.
This was evident at the janata darshan on Saturday, where Mr Kumaraswamy directed officials to release relief amount in excess of one lakh from the chief minister’s relief fund.
“There are several instances wherein people have sold their houses to pay their medical bills. It is the duty of the government to come to their rescue, paying them Rs 10,000 is of no help”, Mr Kumaraswamy said. With the janata darshan being held after many weeks in Bangalore, it was a big draw with hundreds of people from different parts of the State, turning up with a fervent hope of finding a solution to their problems. The programme which began at 9.30 am went on till 10.30 pm, with the chief minister receiving as many as 3,000 petitions from the young and old seeking assistance in various forms .
Pension
Perhaps, moved by the plight of women deserted by their husbands, Mr Kumaraswamy announced that the government will pay them a monthly pension of Rs 400. There were at least two cases where totally bed-ridden patients had been brought by their families to “Krishna”, the CM’s office and the venue of the janata darshan.
Family members of a  40-year old man, whose head had swelled enormously and barely conscious had somehow managed to bring him to the venue. The CM immediately directed his staff to admit the person to Nimhans for diagnosis.
A woman, 26- year-old Mangalagowri from Arakanahalli in Maddur was carried in a bed-sheet. Mangalagowri suffered a polio attack when she was ten-years old and has not been able to move around since. However, Mr Kumaraswamy released an amount of Rs 10,000 for her medical assistance.
No money for fees
 Mr Kumaraswamy was moved when he received a petition from 50-year old Jayarama Reddy of Chintamani, who had lost movement of his limbs after he fell from the roof of his house, seeking help from the government to pay the fees of his daughter, who was pursuing her MSc (bio-technology). Medical expenses had exhausted his life savings. Mr Kumaraswamy directed officials to release Rs 50,000 from the chief minister’s relief fund.
Delegations
Several delegations were waiting for the chief minister outside ‘Krishna’ well before the commencement of the janata darshan. Mr Kumaraswamy assured a delegation of BMTC employees on contract that they would be given priority when the corporation takes up its recruitment process.
A delegation from Varthur told the CM about the need for more dhobhi ghats in Bangalore. BBMP Commissioner S Subramanya was directed to look into their request.
Sports awardee
T V Subramanya, a physically challenged person with several accolades at State and National-level in Kabaddi and athletics said he was coming for the second time to the janata darshan to get a government job. Mr Kumaraswamy handed over cheques to beneficiaries of the self-employment scheme of minority development corporation.
VOLTE-FACE
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who till the other day was speaking about relinquishing office before the October 3 deadline for transfer of power has created furore by making a contradictory statement.
At the janata darshan, Mr Kumaraswamy said he would continue to hold janata darshan as CM for the next four weeks till October 3.
The CM on Wednesday had said he was contemplating an “early exist” following his deputy B S Yediyurappa “repeatedly” making statements about the transfer of power at various forums.