Bengaluru: Hours after his swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, the newly appointed Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held his first cabinet meeting. Addressing a press meet, Bommai said tackling flood and Covid situation will be his top priority. He also increased the scholarship program of ₹1000 cr for the higher education of the farmers' children.
Bommai also increased three existing pension programs including the Sandhya Suraksha Yojana, a pension program for senior citizens that was paying ₹ 1,000 per month now raised to ₹ 1,200 per month. This will cost the exchequer ₹ 863 cr and benefit 35.98 lakh people. The second scheme, a physically challenged pension for a person with 45-75 per cent disability which was paying off ₹ 600 per month now has been enhanced to ₹ 800 per month incurring an additional cost of ₹ 90 crores. Finally, the widow pension has been increased from ₹ 600 to ₹ 800 per month incurring an extra cost of ₹ 416 cr.
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Addressing a presser, Chief Minister Bommai said, "As there is no Cabinet; I am the only cabinet member for now. But I will ensure that this should affect the administration. I have held a meeting with seniors officers and explained to them the orientation of the government. I have made it clear that the government functioning must be transparent, and pro-people government must be there."
Also talking about his goals in the present government, Bommai said, "People must know about the existence of government only by the implementation of its policies, not by mere announcements. I told my officers that micromanagement must be strengthened to govern, and any delay will cause increase in expenditure and attract corruption. Therefore, government decision must be implemented within the timeframe. Officer's 'chalta hai' attitude will be least tolerated," he warned.
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In view of the prevailing COVID situation government offices must adopt financial discipline. Five per cent of total office expenditure must be cut without affecting our programs, Bommai told officers.
Bommai went on to add, "I have discussed with Chief secretary regarding the delay in file movement and we will find a new way out of clear the files soon."
"Tackling flood and Covid are our top priority," the CM said. He praised former CM BS Yediyurappa and his team for successfully containing the spread of the virus.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Bommai said that he will be visiting the villages hit by floods and necessary SDRF funds will be released.
Soon Bommai will be visiting New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda following which a Cabinet formation will be finalised.
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