Chitradurga (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Saturday that farmers protesting against the Bidadi township project would not be harassed and announced that the much-awaited Cabinet expansion is likely to take place next week.
Addressing reporters at the Vedavathi Science College grounds in Hiriyur of Chitradurga district, Shivakumar added that the state government considers the protesting farmers as its own people and assured that no undue pressure would be exerted on them.
“They are our farmers. We will not put pressure on anyone or cause inconvenience to them. They are our people. They cannot live without us, and we cannot live without them. We will take an appropriate decision,” he said when asked whether cases filed against Bidadi farmers would be withdrawn.
On the Cabinet expansion, Shivakumar added that it is expected to take place next week.
The Chief Minister also pitched for a public-private partnership model in school education, urging top private schools in urban areas to adopt government schools facing teacher shortages and help improve educational standards in rural Karnataka.
“Leading private schools should adopt rural government schools and depute teachers so that children in villages receive quality education on par with urban institutions,” he said.
Responding to criticism over the proposal, Shivakumar clarified that the initiative would not apply to all private schools but only to select institutions that meet certain standards.
“This is an understanding between the government and private institutions. Through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, primary education can be strengthened. Rural children should not have to migrate to cities for quality education. They deserve Bengaluru-level education in their own villages,” he said.
He added that the state government spends nearly Rs 1.40 lakh per child annually, but challenges remain in delivering quality education across the state.
Taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) controversy, Shivakumar alleged that the previous BJP government had appointed the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman.
“The BJP is unable to withstand the criticism it is facing. We have demanded a discussion in Parliament and sought the resignation of the Education Minister. The KPSC Chairman was not appointed by us; he was appointed during the BJP’s tenure. They are now trapped in their own actions,” he said.
He added that the Congress government supports democratic protests and would investigate the allegations thoroughly.
“In a democracy, protests cannot be stopped. We have accepted the Governor’s communication and will conduct an inquiry and take legal action wherever necessary,” the Chief Minister said.
On the prevailing drought-like conditions in Karnataka, Shivakumar added that he had chosen to conduct a review meeting in Chitradurga instead of Bengaluru to assess the situation firsthand.
“I have already held meetings with Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers. The review here will benefit districts such as Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Chitradurga and Davanagere. I will visit affected areas and assess the ground situation,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that apart from the Almatti reservoir region, most parts of Karnataka have received inadequate rainfall and warned that drought conditions were intensifying across the state.
“We have instructed officials to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water under any circumstances. Authorities have already collected data on the drought situation, and I will discuss the issue with public representatives,” he added.
Shivakumar also said that he would return to Chitradurga on Sunday to attend a condolence meeting in memory of the late former Minister D. Sudhakar.
(IANS)
