Siddu, Shivakumar defend guarantees

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Siddaramaiah slammed the Opposition BJP for their opposition to the guarantees, adding that the welfare schemes in question had made life easier for the working class.

They made the comments after laying the foundation stones for various projects in Hassan district.

The two bigwigs were accompanied by Hassan district in-charge minister KN Rajanna and Arsikere MLA Shivalinge Gowda.

“BJP is trying to distract from the beneficiaries who are satisfied with the guarantees. Do not fall for their tricks,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that Gruha Lakshmi Yojane under which registered women received Rs 2,000 monthly had been a boon for the fairer sex.

Shivakumar on the other hand claimed that the guarantee schemes saved families Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 yearly.

He added that more women were undertaking pilgrimages to temples because of the Shakti scheme, which allowed them to travel in most government buses for free.

“Administrator of the Dharmasthala temple Virendra Heggade told me more people have been coming to the temple in greater numbers because of the Shakti scheme. Donations are overflowing. He said women are offering prayers in the name of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar,” Shivakumar said.