'Our aim is all-round development of state and its people'

Bengaluru: As his government completed one year in office, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday sought cooperation from everyone in providing a stable government during the remaining period of his tenure, and towards achieving his goal of all-round development of the state.

Amid speculations about the longevity of his tenure, the 78-year old Lingayat strongman, listing out the achievements of his government said, he was indebted to the people and his only aim is to take the state forward in the path of progress.

“With your blessings my government has completed one year in office…during the remaining period with all your cooperation, providing a stable government with the vision of all-round development of the state is my goal. To reach this goal I will work beyond my strength with honesty,” Yediyurappa said.

Addressing an event – “People friendly government, 1 year” organized to commemorate the occasion, he said, “I have never indulged in hate politics, I have conducted respectfully even towards those who have criticized me. My only aim is to take the state forward on the path of progress with cooperation from everyone.”

He also tried to highlight BJP”s victory in 25 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state during the parliamentary polls and winning 12 of 15 assembly seats during the December by- polls as a recognition of work done under his leadership and administration.

Yediyurappa was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the fourth time on July 26, 2019, three days after the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government led by H D Kumaraswamy that faced defeat during the trust vote.

As a commemoration to celebrate the BJP government”s completion of one year in office, Yediyurappa released booklets containing the achievements of his government at the Vidhana Soudha, that was virtually attended by administration of all districts under the leadership of their respective District in-charge Ministers.

The event was also telecast live on YouTube and social media channels.

Noting that there was a lot to do and we are indebted to the people, Yediyurappa said if the COVID pandemic was not there, the pace of development in the state would have been faster.

“Last year when I took charge there were floods and there is COVID this year…The pain of this COVID pandemic putting all the developmental activities into jeopardy is haunting me,” he added.

However, with good rains this year, filling up of dams and lakes, improved groundwater situation and farmers engaging in their activities has given some respite, he said, as he prayed that there should not be any floods this year.

Reiterating that there will be no more discussions on lockdown, Yediyurappa said he has instructed district administrations to work on developmental activities and improving the financial condition of the state.

“We have already gone for a long lockdown, now without discussing the lockdown we have to learn to live with COVID. Along with managing COVID we have to improve the financial condition of the state and its development,” he added.

Recollecting the massive floods that ravaged the state in August last year, soon after he came to power, Yediyurappa said, “it was a trial by fire for me, as I had to work alone for some time without any Ministers in the cabinet.”

He listed out the work done by his government for various sections including- Rs 4,000 being given by the state in addition Rs 6,000 by the Centre under Kisan Samman Yojana benefiting about 50 lakh farmers, loan waiver and Rs 2,000 to weavers, work on providing clean drinking water to every house, impetus to rural roads and national highways, new Industrial Policy among others.

“Our aim is all-round development of the state and that the people have to live with solace…In Karnataka within three years no poor will have to say that he has no home, in this regard we are working,” he added.

Yediyurappa also said with aim to give a push to global recognition Bengaluru has, the government was taking up a lot of programmes, including a blueprint to develop infrastructure in the city on a large scale while Bengaluru suburban railway work has been fast-tracked.

“In three years we will work honestly to make Bengaluru a model city in the country,” he added.

Honest efforts are being made towards removing regional imbalance, promoting tourism, Yediyurappa said and added that laying stress on irrigation projects, we have tried to resolve Mahadayi inter-state river water dispute, Mekedatu project is being taken up, also filling up of lakes.

Maintaining law and order is the priority of any government and in the last one year we have not given room for any disturbance, by taking all communities together, he added.

Defending his government”s legislation that has come under criticism, Yediyurappa said, amendment to APMC Act is aimed at ensuring “my crop, my right”.

Despite opposition we have gone ahead with it with an intention to give the farmer a freedom to sell his produce wherever he wants, whether within the state or outside, he added.

Regarding amendments to land reforms act, he said, “this has been done with an intention to give encouragement to industries and thereby bring down unemployment rate…the opposition is unnecessary criticising, we have to inform people and bring awareness.”