Bengaluru: After the collapse of the BJP government in Karnataka, the Congress government came into existence under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. After suffering a big defeat in the assembly elections, there is a lot of discussion about who will be the leader of the opposition in the BJP. It is also seen that there is a huge competition going on in the state BJP to get the position of the leader of the opposition.

Meanwhile, it is known that former Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai met senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa and discussed the political developments in the state including the position of the Leader of the Opposition.

Already the national leaders of the BJP are holding informal meetings with the BJP MLAs to gather opinion. However, BJP sources said that the final decision is likely to be taken before the budget session in July. However, the increased competition for the position of the opposition leader has caused headaches for the BJP leaders.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, former DCM R Ashok, former minister Sunil Kumar and senior MLA Basanagowda Patil Yatnal are leading in the race for the post of Leader of Opposition.

As the position of Leader of Opposition is critical, BJP is taking a measured decision. Because the position of the opposition leader is important for the BJP to bring the failures and missteps of the Congress government before the people and use every available opportunity successfully.

Sources said that the leaders have decided to choose a similar leader in the BJP as there are many senior MLAs in the Congress to effectively counter the opposition attack.

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that all the guarantees given to the people before the Congress party elections will be implemented in the current financial year.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that as the first guarantee, the Griha Jyoti scheme will be implemented from July 1. Based on 12 months average, add 10 percent to it, complete fee exemption will be given, 

The customer has to pay the previous old electricity balance. It will be applicable from August for electricity usage in the month of July. He said that this scheme will also be applicable to the tenants. Siddaramaiah said that the guarantee scheme will be implemented without discrimination of any caste and religion, and said that all the guarantees announced in this financial year will be implemented.

The second scheme ‘Ghrilakshmi’ will be implemented on August 15, under this scheme, money will be deposited into the house owner account of BPL and APL account holders, but the beneficiaries of the scheme should submit Aadhaar card, bank account details and apply between June 15 and July 15, he said. He said that this scheme will also be applicable to social security pensioners.

The Chief Minister informed that all BPL card holders and Antyodaya beneficiaries will be given 10 kg rice each from July 1 under the  3rd Guarantee Annabhagya Yojana.

4th Guarantee Shakti: Shakti Yojana will be launched on 11th of this month where all women including students will travel free in KSRTC and BMTC buses, Bangalore to Tirupati, Bangalore to Hyderabad will not be allowed. Applicable only for normal buses except AC and luxury buses. The Chief Minister said that 50% seats are reserved for men in KSRTC buses, this is not applicable to all types of luxury, AC and non-AC sleeper buses including Airavata, Rajahamsa. The privilege of free bus travel is also provided to third genders.

5th Guarantee Youth Fund: 3,000 per month for 24 months of registered unemployed graduates and 1,1500 for diploma holders will be given honorarium in 2022-23, the Chief Minister said. This will be applicable to all unemployed graduates including vocational education. The Chief Minister clarified that the third genders will also be given unemployment allowance under this scheme, for which applications will be invited.

Bengaluru: Leading iPhone manufacturing company Foxconn aims to start production at Devanahalli unit by April 1, 2024, and in addition to this, the entire land will be handed over by July 1, Heavy and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said on Thursday.

He said this during a courtesy visit by a team of top executives from Foxconn Company led by George Chu. IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge was also present. Along with this, the new Congress-led government has accelerated the implementation of this Rs 13,600 crore scheme which will provide employment to 50,000 people.

300 acres have been identified for the project in Devanahalli General Industrial Area (ITIR). The company aims to start manufacturing here by April 1, 2024. Keeping this in mind, the land will be handed over to the company before July 1, he said.

The company has stated that it will require 50 lakh liters of water per day. Patil clarified that this will be met with the provision of quality electricity, road connectivity etc. infrastructure. The skill details required of the company’s staff are also asked. Accordingly, he said that the government will give training to the deserving people and emphasize on making human resources available. 

The Taiwan-based flagship company plans to complete the plant construction in three phases and eventually manufacture 2 crore mobiles per year here. The company has already paid 30 per cent (Rs 90 crore) of the amount earmarked for the land to KIADB.

Before this, Executive Vice President of Jubilant Food Works Amardeepasingh Ahluwalia, President of FICCI Karnataka Mandal K. Ullas Kamath, Karnataka Mandal President Shaju Mangalam, CII Karnataka Mandal President Vijayakrishnan Venkatesan and others met the Minister.

IT BT Department Additional Chief Secretary Ramana Reddy, Commerce and Industry Department Principal Secretary Selvakumar, Department Commissioner Gunjan Krishna were present.