Renowned writers K. Maralasiddappa and S.G. Siddaramaiah have termed the remarks of writers S.L. Byrappa, D. Javare Gowda and Kum. Veerabhadrappa on the State government’s Anna Bhagya scheme as “inhuman and insulting to the poor working class”.
At a press conference organised by the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti here on Saturday, Mr. Maralasiddappa said although these writers are from economically backward sections, their criticism that the poor will become lazy with the scheme, is baseless and childish. “They have forgotten their days of poverty. Writers should have concern for the society and should not ridicule the life of the poor,” he said. Prof. Siddaramaiah said the writers are pointing a finger at the Rs. 4,000-crore pro-poor programme, when the government is losing tax revenue amounting to several crores because of tax evasion by capitalists, industrialists and business organisations.