Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reassured that the state government is not reducing the number of beneficiaries under its guarantee schemes. The ongoing verification process aims to ensure benefits reach those who are eligible. Instances of benefits being withdrawn in the names of deceased beneficiaries were highlighted.
Shivakumar mentioned cases where the Gruha Jyothi free power scheme was misused for commercial purposes. He emphasized that the schemes were designed for voters and eligible beneficiaries of Karnataka. The Chief Minister affirmed the state’s active participation in the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting to address Karnataka’s concerns.
When questioned about a potential Cabinet expansion, Shivakumar stated that there were no current discussions on the matter. He also met with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to seek approvals for key infrastructure projects in Karnataka. Discussions with Karnataka government officials in New Delhi focused on maximizing benefits from Central government schemes.
Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi included meetings with senior Congress leaders and attending the NITI Aayog meeting. He described the rejection of Meenakshi Natarajan’s Rajya Sabha nomination in Madhya Pradesh as a setback to democratic principles. Shivakumar criticized the rejection, calling it a political conspiracy and an injustice to the democratic system.
