Mangalore, July 11: Addressing the media reporters in the press meet held at press club on July 11, Thursday, a senior congress leader and former union minister B Janardhan Poojary said in his address said that the state rural development and panchayatraj minister H K Patil either has to ask for forgiveness or resign from his post for his negative statement made on Anna Bhagya scheme.
Lambasting Patil over his remark, Poojary said”It is not right on the part of Patil to oppose and criticize the Anna Bhagya scheme”. From his this stand, it clearly shows that Patil has no concern towards the poor.
“Patil has clearly violated the code of discipline making such a statement. He has to ask for forgiveness, or resign from his post. All others, including a few opposition leaders have praised the scheme. Our duty is work for the poor. People have trusted the Congress manifesto and voted us. It is not right to cheat the people in any way,” he said.
“Opposition and BJP will quote Patil when the Food Security Bill is going to be passed in the session. Earlier in 2005, we had waived a debt of nearly Rs 48,00,000 in favor of the poor. The government had given nearly 300 acres of land for a company, but no update on this has been received yet.”
“There is a need to work together for the welfare of the people, especially the poor. A people friendly government has to be formed,” he said
Further commenting on BJP’s stand on opposing amendments to Karnataka Panchayatraj act by the BJP leaders is an act of stupidity and without the knowledge of the actual facts.
He further stated that according to the Indian constitution, gram panchayats are self-governments and the amendment to the act, is to ensure more power to the people in the local governments
| He also further said that amendment is as important as the legislature as people are given an opportunity to speak about development and other issues related to their respective villages in the Gram Sabha.Therefore there is nothing wrong in holding gram panchayat presidents and members responsible for not conducting gram sabha meetings, he added.Poojary while lauding the implementation of Re 1 per Kg rice scheme for BPL families said that it is the collective responsibility of all political parties including congress to make the scheme more successful and being implemented more effectively. Any lapses, shortcomings or malpractices observed in the scheme, public are advised to inform the concerned officials for taking action against erring people, he added.
Congress leaders like Arun Coehlo, Kallige Taranath Shetty, Suresh Ballal and Harikrishna Bantwal were present in the meet.
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