Karnataka, which stood tall and contributed immensely to the country, has landed into a state of distress, Gehlot tells both Houses of the Legislature.
Governor Gehlot addressing a joint session of both Houses on Monday. (Supplied)
In his first address to the newly elected Assembly on Monday, 3 July, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot raised concerns over “institutionalised corruption”. Incidentally, the incumbent Congress government centered its poll campaign around corruption as a primary poll pitch against the former BJP government in the state.
“Corruption has almost become institutionalised in the system, and eradicating it will be the major challenge before the state government,” Governor Gehlot said.
Addressing a joint session of both Houses of the state Legislature, he listed out the priorities of the newly-elected government.
Expressing serious concerns over the “institutionalised” corruption in the state, Gehlot said the government should initiate administrative and legislative measures to meet the challenges.
The Governor said the state government would emphasis ushering in a people-centric economy over the next five years. The government under Siddaramaiah was sworn in on 20 May, after the Congress trounced the BJP at the hustings.
“Karnataka, which stood tall and contributed immensely to the country, has landed into a state of distress. Bringing Karnataka out of the economic distress shall be the priority (of the new Congress government,” Gehlot said.
“The government will showcase the ‘new Karnataka governance model’ to the country by balancing both the welfare and the state’s economy,” he added.
Noting that narrow minds created divisions and differences between different communities, and the remnants of such a mindset still survive at various levels in society, the Governor said the government will initiate steps to build a peaceful and harmonious society.
Gehlot said corruption has become so entrenched in the system that, for many reasons, it has become almost institutionalised.
“Eradicating it is a major challenge. I seek your cooperation to meet this challenge and root out corruption. The government will take all necessary administrative and legislative measures in this regard,” he added.
The Governor noted that the government considers governance as a “sacred duty” and it stands with the poor and socially and economically backward sections. It is the goal of the government that all castes, religions, and sects get their fair share, he added.
Gehlot said under the “Anna Bhagya” scheme, the additional 5 kg rice will be given in the form of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The government will transfer ₹34 per kg per person directly into the bank accounts of poor families every month.
The DBT arrangement would continue until the quantum of rice for the additional 5 kg rice to all the poor households is tied up, he said, adding that the state government would make the state hunger-free through the “Anna Bhagya” scheme and “Indira Canteens”.
On the poll “guarantees” (announced by the Congress), Gehlot said under the “Yuva Nidhi” scheme, ₹3,000 per month will be given to graduates/post graduates and ₹1,500 to diploma holders.
All those who passed in the year 2022-23, but are unemployed even after six months, will receive the amounts for 24 months, or until they get employment or are self-employed productively — whichever is earlier.
Up to 200 units of free electricity under “Gruha Jyoti Yojana” will benefit about 2.14 crore household consumers, the Governor added. He said the government formulated the “Gruha Lakshmi” scheme for empowering women.
Under the scheme, ₹2,000 a month will be provided to women “in women-headed households”. Gehlot also referred to the “Shakti” scheme, saying that more than 50 lakh women have benefited from free travel on government buses.
“With financial improvement, this will bring about economic emancipation of women,” the Governor said.
Gehlot said today many countries in the world are advocating a people-oriented economy. “In this context, the concept of Universal Basic Income is gaining support. It narrows the gap between the haves and have-nots,” he said.
“This economic policy is based on humanism and is pro-development and eliminates the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few,” Gehlot pointed out.
Laying emphasis on peace and harmony in the society, the Governor underlined that Karnataka from the beginning stood for the people and against caste and religion-based differences.
To buttress his point about communal harmony, Gehlot quoted Kaviraja Marga by poet Sri Vijaya Kannada ‘AdiKavi’ Pampa and ‘Rashtra Kavi’ Kuvempu. He also quoted the teachings of 12th Century Common Era social reformer Basaveshwara and Kannada poet Sarvagna in his speech.
Gehlot said the government is ready to build an excellent higher education system and give full attention to the growth and development of children in a “harmonious atmosphere in colleges and universities.”
(With PTI inputs).
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