Ruckus in Assembly over CM statement on funds for minorities

Belagavi (K'taka): The Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a ruckus, as the opposition BJP accused CM Siddaramaiah of compromising the sanctity of the House, saying he announced Rs 10,000 crore for minorities at a Muslim community event recently, when the session is ongoing.

Alleging that the government which is unable to provide drought relief to farmers is announcing Rs 10,000 crore for minorities without bringing it to the notice of the assembly, the BJP demanded that the CM withdraw his statement and apologise to the House.

However, ruling party members, defending the CM, said that Siddaramaiah has only stated that he intends to increase the budget for the minorities department every year, and ultimately the intention is to spend Rs 10,000 crore through the department, and that the BJP was objecting as they are opposed to giving funds to minorities.

On December 4, addressing the Aulad-e-Ghous-eAzam convention at Hubballi, Siddaramaiah had said, "I want to say that this year we have given Rs 4,000 crore to the minorities department (in the annual budget), and we will work to increase it every year. Ultimately our intention is to spend Rs 10,000 crore through the minorities department."

Raising the issue, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar said, "It is a convention that has been followed in this House not to announce any government programmes outside when the assembly is in session, but the CM in Hubballi has announced Rs 10,000 crore. When the House is in session, as the member of the House we have a right to know."

Several members of the ruling Congress including ministers like Priyank Kharge tried to defend the chief minister and said there was nothing wrong with what he said, adding that ultimately the matter has to come to the House, and every rupee spent has to be approved by the assembly.

This led to arguments between the ruling and opposition benches, despite Speaker U T Khader trying to shut it down stating that, "Let the chief minister come to the House and let him clarify. Until then, let's go on with the further proceedings."

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said that MLA Sunil Kumar who raised the issue is "ill informed or lacks information, and there is no breach of privilege. Stating that he was part of the event which Siddaramaiah addressed, he said, "The CM highlighting about budget allocation to minorities, stated that he would increase it further in the next budget... If the Chief Minister had said he has sanctioned or will be allocating Rs 10,000 crore this year, then there would have been some credence to your argument." (PTI)