JOIN USPro-people work saw us through: CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday claimed credit for the Congress victory in the byelections to Bangalore Rural and Mandya parliamentary seats, saying that people voted for the party because of various programmes implemented by the government.
Addressing the media on the occasion of his government completing 100 days in office, he said the Congress candidates won with comfortable margin despite the BJP backing the JD(S). “Both the seats were said to be the strongholds of the JD(S). Still we have won because of pro-people initiatives taken by the government,” he stated.
Siddaramaiah has decided not to celebrate the occasion on a grand scale. Instead, he brought out a 65-page booklet “Nooru Dina Nooraru Nirnaya” listing out steps taken by the government in 100 days. The Siddaramaiah government completed 100 days on August 20.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister H K Patil, Shantinagar MLA N A Haris and Maski MLA Pratap Gouda Patil were present with the chief minister at the press conference. The booklet was also released at the district level by the respective district in-charge ministers.
Unlike his first day in office when he announced major policy initiatives like rice per Re 1 per kg scheme, the chief minister did not make any new announcements on Monday citing model code of conduct. Instead, he spoke at length about important programmes of his government, including Anna Bhagya (rice scheme), Ksheera Bhagya (milk to school children), Runa Mukta Bhagya (loan waiver) and claimed that they are making a good impact on the poor in the State.
The confident-looking and smiling chief minister said there is nothing which is impossible to achieve. But 100 days are too small a period to implement all programmes. “It is not possible to assess the achievement of a government in 100 days. It is only a small milestone. However, we can only know whether the government is on the right track during this period,” he stated.
Decision on KPSC
Siddaramaiah defended the government's decision not to set up a search committee for appointing Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) members, saying that it was necessary for ensuring social justice. “I am aware the government is being criticised for not setting up the search committee. But in the interest of social justice we decided that the discretion to appoint the members should be with the government,” he said.
The Hota Committee set up by the government to recommend reforms in the scam-hit KPSC had in its report suggested setting up the search committee. The State cabinet, however, rejected it and decided to continue with the existing system of political appointments.
On the demand for referring the illegal mining cases as mentioned in the Karnataka Lokayukta in its reports, the chief minister reiterated that a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary is looking into the reports. The government will take appropriate action based on the panel's recommendations. Action will also be taken against all those involved in large-scale irregularities in implementing PWD projects in Magadi, as recommended by a Legislative Assembly committee.