The ruling Congress in Karnataka will complete four years on May 13 and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wants the anniversary to be a low-key in the wake of severe drought in the State.
However, it has decided to utilise the occasion to conduct a Bengaluru divisional-level convention on May 13 in Chitradurga in a “meaningful way” to showcase welfare schemes launched by the government.
Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya told presspersons on Friday that it was not appropriate to splurge on celebrations when the State was reeling under severe drought. At the convention, benefits under welfare schemes such as farm equipment for farmers and laptops for students will be distributed. The benefits would cover all the departments. The convention will showcase the commitment of the Siddaramaiah government in ensuring the welfare of the weaker sections and delivering social justice, he said.
270 new residential schools
The Social Welfare Department has proposed to open 270 new residential schools in the 2017-18 academic year, and will include 125 Ambedkar Residential Schools and 100 Indira Gandhi Residential Schools.
The State now has 520 government residential schools and the number will go up to 790 with the start of the new schools. The residential schools will benefit 1.38 lakh students, he said.
