<p>Davangere: Chief whip of the opposition party in the Legislative Council N Ravikumar said post Ugadi, the BJP will launch a protest against the state government’s policies and decisions.</p><p>Addressing media persons in Davangere on Wednesday, Ravikumar said the 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts is unconstitutional and shows the government’s appeasement policy.</p><p>“The Supreme Court has issued a stay order on the reservation given to the Muslim community in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A similar stay order will be issued in Karnataka too,” he said.</p><p>He added that Muslim appeasement is on a rise after Congress came to power. A subsidy of Rs 50,000 is being given to a newly-wed Muslim couple. Facilities that are not available to the poor among Hindus are being provided to Muslims. The government also gives a subsidy of Rs 30 lakh only to Muslim students studying abroad. “Is such a treatment fair,” he questioned.</p><p>He said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had said that he would change the Constitution to provide reservation for the Muslim community. The Congress high command should immediately demand his resignation.</p><p><strong>‘Hand over honey-trap case to HC judge or CBI’</strong></p><p>On honey-trap case, Ravikumar said the case must be handed over either to a sitting judge of the High Court or the CBI for investigation. All those caught in the honey-trap and those who carried it out should be brought to light, he demanded.</p><p><strong>Farmer suicide cases</strong> </p><p>Speaking about increasing farmer suicides in the state, Ravikumar said farmers are in trouble due to crop diseases. The government should release a package of Rs 800 crore for the farmers who ended their lives, Ravikumar demanded.</p><p><strong>Smart meters scam</strong></p><p>He also alleged that a blacklisted company in Uttar Pradesh has been given a contract for smart meters. Huge funds have been allocated for smart meters. This has become a burden on the people and a large-scale scam has come to light. Energy Minister K J George should resign owing moral responsibility, he demanded.</p><p><strong>Misappropriation in Labour Dept alleged</strong></p><p>Ravikumar alleged that the Labour Department has become a hotbed of corruption. The kits distributed to the workers were purchased at a price higher than the market price. It is possible that an estimated Rs 75 crore has been misappropriated. The list of workers who received the kits should be disclosed or Labour Minister Santosh Lad should resign, he said.</p><p>BJP leaders Kolenahalli BM Satish, Lingaraju, Ravi, and Harish Honnur were present.</p>
<p>Davangere: Chief whip of the opposition party in the Legislative Council N Ravikumar said post Ugadi, the BJP will launch a protest against the state government’s policies and decisions.</p><p>Addressing media persons in Davangere on Wednesday, Ravikumar said the 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts is unconstitutional and shows the government’s appeasement policy.</p><p>“The Supreme Court has issued a stay order on the reservation given to the Muslim community in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. A similar stay order will be issued in Karnataka too,” he said.</p><p>He added that Muslim appeasement is on a rise after Congress came to power. A subsidy of Rs 50,000 is being given to a newly-wed Muslim couple. Facilities that are not available to the poor among Hindus are being provided to Muslims. The government also gives a subsidy of Rs 30 lakh only to Muslim students studying abroad. “Is such a treatment fair,” he questioned.</p><p>He said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had said that he would change the Constitution to provide reservation for the Muslim community. The Congress high command should immediately demand his resignation.</p><p><strong>‘Hand over honey-trap case to HC judge or CBI’</strong></p><p>On honey-trap case, Ravikumar said the case must be handed over either to a sitting judge of the High Court or the CBI for investigation. All those caught in the honey-trap and those who carried it out should be brought to light, he demanded.</p><p><strong>Farmer suicide cases</strong> </p><p>Speaking about increasing farmer suicides in the state, Ravikumar said farmers are in trouble due to crop diseases. The government should release a package of Rs 800 crore for the farmers who ended their lives, Ravikumar demanded.</p><p><strong>Smart meters scam</strong></p><p>He also alleged that a blacklisted company in Uttar Pradesh has been given a contract for smart meters. Huge funds have been allocated for smart meters. This has become a burden on the people and a large-scale scam has come to light. Energy Minister K J George should resign owing moral responsibility, he demanded.</p><p><strong>Misappropriation in Labour Dept alleged</strong></p><p>Ravikumar alleged that the Labour Department has become a hotbed of corruption. The kits distributed to the workers were purchased at a price higher than the market price. It is possible that an estimated Rs 75 crore has been misappropriated. The list of workers who received the kits should be disclosed or Labour Minister Santosh Lad should resign, he said.</p><p>BJP leaders Kolenahalli BM Satish, Lingaraju, Ravi, and Harish Honnur were present.</p>
