<p>"He has time to distribute sarees and blouses worth Rs 80 or Rs 90 but no time to attend a Rs 1,000 crore (value of the centrally-sponsored projects) function", Kharge said here.<br />He was referring to Yeddyurappa distributing sarees to beneficiaries of "Bhagyalakshmi" scheme in the state recently.<br /><br />Kharge, hailing from Karnataka, was speaking at the inaugural function of ESIC model hospital at Rajajinagar here.<br /><br />He noted Yeddyurappa's absence at today's function and at a programme on central university and medical college in his hometown of Gulbarga sometime ago, which collectively brings in an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.<br /><br />"If Chief Minister comes to such functions, we and officials of the Central government get encouragement. It helps in quick decision-taking. I am not saying he has to come to small functions. But for major functions, say above Rs 100 crore projects, he has to come. I am saddened (that he does not come to such functions)," Kharge said.<br /><br />Kharge likened the Central schemes to that of "buffet system" in the sense that the States who come first seeking central funds and pursue their case get the money.<br />The Minister told state Labour Minister B N Bachegowda and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar, the local MLA -- present at the function -- to convey his sentiments to the Chief Minister.<br /><br />He said his Ministry has committed Rs 1,600 crore to the state to modernise ESIC hospitals here, Hubli, Davanagere and Mysore, building a hospital for Beedi workers in Mangalore, a dental college here and installation of new equipment, among others.<br />Kharge said ESIC hospitals are not being run properly by all states despite the Centre giving a 87.5 per cent grant.<br /><br />"Health services are not being put to good use. It's not reaching the poorer sections", he said, adding, states were directed to address these issues.</p>
<p>"He has time to distribute sarees and blouses worth Rs 80 or Rs 90 but no time to attend a Rs 1,000 crore (value of the centrally-sponsored projects) function", Kharge said here.<br />He was referring to Yeddyurappa distributing sarees to beneficiaries of "Bhagyalakshmi" scheme in the state recently.<br /><br />Kharge, hailing from Karnataka, was speaking at the inaugural function of ESIC model hospital at Rajajinagar here.<br /><br />He noted Yeddyurappa's absence at today's function and at a programme on central university and medical college in his hometown of Gulbarga sometime ago, which collectively brings in an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.<br /><br />"If Chief Minister comes to such functions, we and officials of the Central government get encouragement. It helps in quick decision-taking. I am not saying he has to come to small functions. But for major functions, say above Rs 100 crore projects, he has to come. I am saddened (that he does not come to such functions)," Kharge said.<br /><br />Kharge likened the Central schemes to that of "buffet system" in the sense that the States who come first seeking central funds and pursue their case get the money.<br />The Minister told state Labour Minister B N Bachegowda and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar, the local MLA -- present at the function -- to convey his sentiments to the Chief Minister.<br /><br />He said his Ministry has committed Rs 1,600 crore to the state to modernise ESIC hospitals here, Hubli, Davanagere and Mysore, building a hospital for Beedi workers in Mangalore, a dental college here and installation of new equipment, among others.<br />Kharge said ESIC hospitals are not being run properly by all states despite the Centre giving a 87.5 per cent grant.<br /><br />"Health services are not being put to good use. It's not reaching the poorer sections", he said, adding, states were directed to address these issues.</p>