Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot
Credit: Youtube/Doordarshan Chandana
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot read merely three lines from the 122 paragraphs of the customary speech prepared by the government while addressing the joint session of the legislature on Thursday.
The unread part of the Governor's speech highlighted, among other things, how Karnataka faces “a suppressive situation in economic and policy matters” in the federal setup.
The Governor had earlier objected to certain paragraphs in the speech critical of the BJP-led Union government.
On Thursday, Gehlot began by reading the first two lines of the speech: “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address this august House.”
He then moved to the very last line of paragraph 122, saying: “Overall, my government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the State’s economic, social and physical development. Jai Hind — Jai Karnataka.”
In the speech, the Congress government in Karnataka demanded the scrapping of the “contractor-centric” Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act and restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Here are the key highlights of the paragraphs of the speech that the Governor did not read:
Karnataka facing a suppressive economic, policy situation
Repealing MGNREGA weakens India's rural life
VB-GRAM (G) Act protects corporate capitalist interests
Government strongly condemns this anti-progressive measure
Centre has uprooted decentralised framework
Under the new law, decisions are imposed from the Centre
New law curtails rights of Adivasis women, backward classes and agrarian communities
Not consulting States is an unconstitutional conduct
Labourers being placed under contractors control
States already racing fiscal stress due to Centre
VB-GRAM (G) Act facilitates large-scale corruption