Karnataka is a model for the country in agriculture: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, said, Karnataka has become a model by constructing 1.70 lakh agricultural ponds under Krishi Bhagya scheme and also by introducing online trading in agricultural markets.

After launching a multi-village drinking water project at Bellur in the taluk, he said, "Other states have come forward to replicate the methods in their respective regions. At least 90% of the government schemes have reached people. But the opposition parties are criticising that the schemes are meant only for the Ahinda communities."

The CM pointed out that he is in politics for 40 years and has worked with five chief ministers, and has presented 12 budgets as finance minister. "I will present the 13th budget next February. I am aware of the development programmes implemented by the other chief ministers. While the previous government had sanctioned Rs 18,000 crore for irrigation works, our government had sanctioned Rs 45,000 crore," he said.

'Hunger-free state'

"Yeddyurappa is sporting a green shawl, but he has not done anything for the welfare of farmers. Our government has waived off Rs 8,165 crore worth farm loans of 23.28 lakh families. There are no complaints on the shortage of seeds, fertilisers, etc during our tenure. We have strived to make the state free from hunger, slums, and malnutrition. We have moral rights to publicise our achievements, but they do not have any moral ground to criticise us," he said.

Only the Congress government has introduced various schemes for the upliftment of Dalits and backward classes. Those in authority should work for the welfare of the poor, only then, the power would be recognised, he said.

JD(S) leaders stay away

Though the invite had mentioned the names of JD(S) leaders, none of them attended the event. More than 6,000 people attended the programme, which turned out to be a show of strength by rebel JD(S) MLA N Cheluvarayaswamy.

The CM indirectly confirmed the party ticket to the MLA, by saying that he had campaigned in favour of Cheluvarayaswamy in the year 2004 in Nagamangala, and will soon come to support him.

District in-charge Minister M Krishnappa, rebel JD(S) MLAs Ramesh Bandisiddegowda and Zameer Ahmed Khan were present.

DH News Service