Taking credit for any scheme or programme is second nature to politicians and political parties.
A case in point was the distribution of free rice and wheat to poor beneficiaries under the Anna Bhagya scheme at Kaup near Udupi on May 1.
Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake recalled that he had read a news report about a woman crediting former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa for starting the Anna Bhagya scheme.
“But you all know that it is our Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who started the scheme,” he said to applause from the audience. “But you will get free rice and wheat at consumers’ cooperative society here in Kaup.
“Now do not give the credit for it to the society president Diwaker Shetty,” he said, to a loud burst of laughter.
Even Mr. Shetty could not help laughing at the comment made by the Minister.
Opposition for
the sake of it
It is usual for one political party to either oppose or remain silent when another puts forward a proposal.
At the general body meeting of Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) on April 28, a couple of councillors of the ruling Congress said that a resolution should be passed urging the government to increase the sitting fees for the councillors.
But the BJP councillors opposed it. After some time, the BJP councillors announced that they would donate their sitting fees for the Nepal quake hit victims, only to be greeted by stony silence from the treasury benches.
Random act of kindness
An article by a doctor has prompted a hotelier in Mangaluru to offer 10 per cent discount on bills to senior citizens.
Hotel Indraprastha, in front of Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Attavar, has come forward with this initiative. Ask its owner and he says it is an article by senior cardiologist and former Vice-Chancellor of the erstwhile Manipal Academy of Higher Education B.M. Hegde inspired him to do so.
Without elaborating much on it, he said that he expects all medical shops in the city to offer concession to senior citizens who deserve it.
“Don’t write my name but spread the message,” he said.
GANESH PRABHU and RAVIPRASAD KAMILA
