Mysuru: MLC A.H. Vishwanath has lambasted MLC Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, for crediting his father with achievements surpassing those of erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.

Vishwanath questioned, is it possible for Siddaramaiah to steer the State towards development akin to the Maharajas of Mysore and former CM D. Devaraj Urs? It is really a matter of grave concern to think about what fate has in store for those who have been riding high on ego that is palpable with their arrogant remarks.

“It has become common for Siddaramaiah to claim credit for providing 5 kg free rice. But D. Devaraj Urs has granted the ownership of 21 lakh hectares of land to the tillers, by introducing Land Reforms Act. The motto behind such a landmark decision was to feed the have-not by snatching from the hands of haves. Likewise, the development works initiated by Urs will remain for eternal till Sun and Moon exist,” lauded Vishwanath.

The Caste Census announced by the Central Government is a historical move, with a deadline to complete the exercise by 2028. Amidst this, Siddaramaiah has set a deadline to complete the State Caste Census by the end of September this year, that coincides with Dasara vacation and the people prefer to go on tour and the schools remain closed. However, it is incorrect on the part of the Government to depute teachers for the Census, said Vishwanath.

Congress Government had constituted several Commissions including the one headed by social activist Kaka Kalelkar, but never had cursory look at even a page of the report, with no history of implementing any of the recommendations. There exists 2,399 backward castes in the country and 237 among them are most backward, with the thrust on their uplift. Instead of doing that, Congress Government should not resort to politicise the Caste Census.  Is it possible to complete the Census in a short span of time, as Siddaramaiah has fixed September deadline? Moreover, Siddaramaiah feels enlightened at times and the result of his realisation is now H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission and then H. Kantharaj Commission.

—K.R. Ravikumar, MLC

Congress Government has binned several reports of the Commissions it had formed earlier, blatantly ignoring the recommendations aimed at the uplift of backward classes economically, socially and academically. Despite being at the helm for 50 years, the Congress in no way thought about proving beneficial for backward classes. Nehru ruled the country for 17 years and never implemented the recommendations of Kalelkar Commission. Neither did Indira Gandhi, who succeeded her father as the Prime Minister showed the will to implement Kalelkar report. Wholly, the contributions of Congress Government for the cause of backward classes is zero.

—Dr. K. Laxman, BJP OBC Morcha National President

CIBIL score is not a criterion to secure loan under Vishwakarma Yojane. If any bank officers insist on CIBIL score to disburse the loan, he or she will be suspended from the job. The H. Kantharaj Commission report did not contain the signature of Member Secretary of the State Government. When this is the reality, how can the Kantharaj Commission report can be considered as official. Now, the State Congress Government is playing the drama for the second time.

—Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP