Reacting to the statement of Janata Dal(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti who had suggested that Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy dissolve the government, Home Minister M.B. Patil has asked Mr. Horatti to first get the signatures of all their party legislators in the matter.
Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, he said that there is no need to take Mr. Horatti’s statement seriously as it was his personal view and not of the Congress or the Janata Dal(S) legislators.
Meanwhile, taking exception to the statement of the Janata Dal(S) State president H. Vishwanath against the former Chief Minister and coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah, Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande accused Mr. Vishwanath of creating unnecessary confusion in the coalition government.
He said that being State president of the Janata Dal(S), he should not issue such statements.
Earlier, visiting drought-affected areas in the district, Mr. Deshpande made it clear that the government still has ₹ 700 crore with it for taking up drought relief works.
Reacting to the demand of the district administration to grant more funds as it has only ₹ 5 crore, the Minister promised to grant additional funds based on need.
He instructed the officials to ensure that the district does not face shortage of fodder and drinking water.
“What is needed is active implementation of schemes and spending money for people suffering from drought,” he said.
Refuting the allegations that there was mass migration of people for want of jobs, Mr. Deshpande said that many are migrating for higher wages and not for jobs.
“A labour wants ₹ 500 wages a day which is not possible for the government to give. The government has certain restrictions on giving wages. The government is ready to offer jobs under MGNREGA which has fixed wages, but if labour seek higher wages, the Union government has to take a decision on it. Even the State government has no right to increase wages under the job guarantee scheme,” he said.
