Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah Government, which had promised free electricity up to 200 units, has now issued an order that 10% more than the annual average can be used, thus showing an anti-people policy. The BJP State General Secretary and MLC N. Ravikumar said that on June 5 and 6, a statewide protest will be held on behalf of the BJP demanding the withdrawal of the anti-people decisions.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office “Jagannath Bhavan” in Malleswaram, he said that if earlier 70 units of electricity were used in households every month, Government has now allowed 80 units to be used. However, the Karnataka Government has put a condition or restriction that it cannot exceed 80 units for any reason. If that is the case, those who said 200 units in the past questioned whether their words were proved wrong now, whether it is not a breach of promise?
He said that the Government has also increased electricity charges. It increased the charges by 70 paise per unit. This means Rs. 56 for 80 units has been increased. So what has the Government done?
One says free; and at the same time, the fee is increased and the people are charged again. BJP condemns this, he said and added that he would demand the withdrawal of the increased 70 paise fare.
He said the BJP Government had increased the milk subsidy to Rs. 5 per litre. The new government has reduced it to Rs. 1.5. This is saving money for the Government. So what did you do to help the poor? How did you help the poor? he asked.
There are lakhs of families in Karnataka who make their living by dairy farming. He explained that we have increased the incentive to Rs. 5 to help them. This is a big blow to milk producers. He demanded to change this and give incentives as before.
He said Animal Husbandry Minister Venkatesh has given a statement that we will discuss and withdraw the Cow Slaughter Prohibition Law passed by the BJP Government earlier, and went on to condemn the statement of Minister that the Government would allow cow slaughter again. He said Cows are worshipped with sacred feeling in our country. Mahatma Gandhi also said that cow slaughter should not be done. In 1948 and 1964, the Congress Government enacted the Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act which includes slaughtering of buffaloes and ox. In the law brought by our Government in 2020, it has been said that slaughter of ox and cattles too are prohibited. However, he expressed outrage that the Siddaramaiah Government was going to allow cow slaughter.
BJP condemns the proposal to repeal the law. He warned that a large-scale agitation would take place if the law prohibiting cow slaughter was withdrawn.