Karnataka Winter Session to Kick Off Dec 7 in Belagavi
The Karnataka government announces the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi starting December 7 amid fierce opposition criticism.
The Karnataka government has officially decided to convene the Karnataka winter session starting December 7. The legislative proceedings for both Houses will take place at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, marking a significant move as the state prepares for a period of intense legislative debate.
Official Arrangements Underway
The decision was formalized through a communication from Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, addressed to Jyothi, the Secretary (in charge) of the Karnataka Legislative Council Secretariat. The letter, dated October 27, follows deliberations that took place during a Cabinet meeting on October 15.
The Chief Secretary has instructed that preliminary preparations be initiated for the session, which is scheduled to last for 10 days. Notably, the communication emphasized that confidentiality should be maintained throughout the planning process. A formal notification for the session is expected to be released once the initial groundwork is complete.
Opposition Fires Back: Allegations of Bankruptcy
While the government prepares for the session, the political atmosphere is heating up. Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, has launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government, accusing it of driving the state into bankruptcy.
Narayanaswamy suggested that the government should resign before public anger boils over, claiming that state funds have been misused. He specifically pointed toward the establishment of 'ganji kendras' (gruel centres), alleging that government money is being diverted to benefit Congress workers and favorites rather than the general public.
Demands for Financial Transparency
The Opposition leader questioned the government's sudden claims of a depleted treasury, contrasting it with previous assertions that the state's finances were overflowing. He reminded the administration of an earlier demand for a 'white paper' on the state's financial health, which he claims has gone unanswered.
"Will you go there to say the treasury is empty? We had asked for a white paper earlier itself. You did not open your mouth since then," Narayanaswamy questioned.
Controversy Over 'Guarantee' Schemes
The political spat extended to the government's guarantee schemes and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Narayanaswamy accused the government of acting as "guarantee chor" (thieves) by implementing their own version of a revision process to remove beneficiaries.
He alleged that the government is now excluding people from these schemes based on technicalities such as incorrect addresses, lack of bank accounts, or missing income tax certificates, further fueling the tension ahead of the December 7 session in Belagavi.