Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, on Sunday, said the Centre had taken significant steps in strengthening State governments financially. “With changes in economic policies, the Central government has increased funds allocation to the States. Now the States’ share has gone up from 32 per cent to 48 per cent,” he said.
The Minister was in Hassan to interact with party workers regarding the Central government’s schemes and programmes. The Centre had been liberal in its approach to State governments, no matter which government is in power. “But it is unfortunate that some schemes of the Centre have been renamed by the State governments and being projected as their own”. He was referring to Hosa Belaku, recently launched by the Karnataka government.
Further, Dr. Vardhan said the interaction with party workers was planned by the Prime Minister to get feedback on the government’s programmes. “The Prime Minister was an icon before and after the elections. He is always full of ideas for the betterment of the country and the welfare of its people,” he added.
Mysuru Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha, in his keynote address, said the Modi-led Central government had launched many development works in the last 18 months and they have already begun to impact the common man’s life. “But, the Karnataka government has been taking mileage for the programmes funded by the Centre. The Centre procures rice at Rs. 32 per kg and gives it to the State at Rs. 3. Here, the State government is distributing the rice in the name of Annabhagya. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah puts his picture on the rice bags though his role in the scheme is minimal,” Dr. Vardhan said.
Regarding Hosa Belaku, a scheme to provide LED bulbs to households, Mr. Simha said Mr. Modi had already launched the scheme ‘Way to Light’ in January 2015. The Siddaramaiah government renamed it as Hosa Belaku.
Responding to allegations that Mr. Modi was spending most of his time in foreign visits, Mr. Simha said the former had visited many countries to secure and strengthen our borders.
Party workers, participating in the interaction, raised issues related to scientific price for agricultural crops, subsidy for fertilisers, quality power for farmers, and an IIT for Hassan.
‘It is unfortunate that some schemes of the Centre have been renamed by State governments’
