Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot hailed the “people-centric economic, social and cultural governance” on Monday, noting that over Rs 90,000 crore was being spent annually in the state for welfare programmes. This was achieved despite limited financial resources, he said during his address to the legislature on the first day of its budget session.
Gehlot said the “Karnataka model of development” was being studied by many economists and universities around the world. “Oxford University has described this model as ‘shining a light in the darkness’ and ‘a blueprint for the world’ in its Human Rights Hub blog. The head of the United Nations has personally visited the state to learn about this model and openly praised our programmes,” he said in his address toboth Houses of the legislature.
The amount exceeding Rs 90,000 crore was benefiting 1.25 crore families through direct benefit transfer schemes, subsidies and incentives provided by various departments. “The government is shaping a unique model of Karnataka in development,” the governor said.
Listing out the developmental activities carried out in the state, Gehlot said during his hour-long address that the government had “achieved all these accomplishments on the basis of its limited financial resources”.
Following the address, the Opposition BJP criticised the Congress government as the worst performer in the history of the state. “However, they have projected themselves as champions through the governor’s address,” a BJP leader said, adding that the Congress government should be ashamed of itself.
BJP state president B Y Vijayendra accused the state government of making the governor lie in his address. “If we listen to the governor’s address, it is clear that the state government wasted even his time,” he said.
The governor’s address is prepared by the government outlining its policy agenda.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd