CM's social justice only in speech: Karjol

State govt has failed to protect the interests of backward classes, says former minister

Former minister Govind Karjol has accused the State government of completely failing to safeguard the interests of people belonging to backward classes and SC/ST.

“The slogan given by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – ‘social justice for all’ – has been confined to his speeches but not come into action,” said the BJP leader, addressing mediapersons during the Antyodaya Samavesha organised by the BJP backward classes and SC/ST Morcha, at Sanghaniketan in Mangaluru on Monday.

“During its tenure in the State, the BJP government had implemented many welfare programmes for people of backward classes. A thrust was given to the education of students belonging to backward classes and SC/ST. As many as 140 residential schools, 50 post-matriculation hostels, 45 hostels for students of technical courses, 1,085 government high schools, 260 degree colleges, six medical colleges and 13 polytechnic colleges have been built by the BJP government. The present State government, however, has not released enough funds for the education of students belonging to backward classes,” complained Karjol.

He added that the work on Indira Awas Yojana and other schemes has been stagnant as the government has not released sufficient funds. Of the Rs 14,353 crore reserved for the development of backward classes and SC/ST, the government has utilised less than Rs 3,500 crore, he said.

Karjol alleged that the government has failed to manage the drought situation in the State. Artistes and devadasis are not given pension, he added.

“The chief minister is busy making gimmicks to retain his chair and has no time left of administration. The internal clashes and rebel politics are at their peak in the Congress-led State government. The removal of K J George from his portfolio Home Department, is, itself, evidence to the fact that the law and order has completely failed in the State,” he said.

Murder in jail condemned

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has condemned the murder of two jail inmates in the district prison and said the incident represents the utter failure of the law and order system in the State. “It also shows the lack of security in jail premises too,” said Kateel, adding, “The District In-charge Minister and the Home Minister should tender their resignations, taking responsibility for the incident.”

MLC and Antyodaya Samavesha convener Shridhar Raj, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik and BJP backward classes and SC/ST Morcha state secretary Ravikiran were present among others.