Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams AAP over unused Rs 5,200 crore labour fund, low worker benefit payouts
The CM revealed that Rs 5,200 crore remained unused in the labour welfare fund, while thousands of workers continued to wait for essential support and benefits.
She termed AAP's mindset anti-worker and said that while the central government provides registration and renewal services to workers completely free of charge, the Delhi government under the previous regime imposed fees of Rs 25 for registration and Rs 20 for renewal. This unnecessary burden led to a situation where only 7 per cent of workers' data was renewed annually in Delhi, compared to 100 per cent renewal at the national level.
Speaking during the discussion on the CAG report for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 pertaining to the welfare of labourers, Gupta said that it was only after the Supreme Court's intervention that the issue was brought to light.
She said how the top court rebuked the AAP government, questioning why only Rs 2,000 had been given to each worker when the approved assistance was Rs 8,000.
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Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
In tech city, PM Modi calls for tech self-reliance, says India on course to top 3 economies
Describing India as 'the fastest-growing major economy in the world', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that it is in the top five globally and is 'rapidly progressing' to 'becoming one of the top three economies'. Addressing a gathering at IIIT-Bangalore emphasised that amidst evolving problems, India's next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology and that it was time for Indian tech companies to prioritise the country's own needs. 'Our next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology. Indian tech companies have made a mark globally, developing software and products for the entire world. It is now time to prioritise India's own needs more strongly and accelerate the development of new products, especially as software and apps are now being used across every domain,' he said after inaugurating critical mobility infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. He inaugurated the 19.16-km Yellow Line of Bengaluru Metro worth Rs 7,160 crore, thus expanding the city's metro network to 96 km. He also laid the foundation stone of Bengaluru Metro Phase-3 project, worth over Rs 15,610 crore, and flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains at KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru. Vande Bharat trains were launched between Bengaluru and Belagavi, Nagpur and Pune, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar. Modi also took a Metro ride on the newly inaugurated metro line from Ragigudda Metro station to Electronic City station. Modi said it is essential for India to reach new heights in emerging fields. Calling for focused efforts, he stressed the need to strengthen Bengaluru and Karnataka's presence in Make-in-India and the manufacturing sector. He said India's products must adhere to the Zero Defect, Zero Effect standard, meaning they should be flawless in quality and have no negative impact on the environment. Underlining India's economic strides, he said, 'India is currently the fastest-growing major economy in the world. In the past 11 years, India's economy has risen from the 10th position to the top five globally, and is rapidly progressing toward becoming one of the top three economies.' He attributed this momentum to the spirit of 'Reform, Perform and Transform', driven by 'clear intent' and 'honest efforts'. He highlighted that before 2014, India's total exports had reached only $468 billion whereas today, that figure has risen to $824 billion. He also remarked that earlier, India used to import mobile phones, but now, the country is among the top five exporters of mobile handsets. He noted that Bengaluru has played a significant role in this transformation and that India's electronics exports now have increased to nearly $38 billion from $6 billion. He also highlighted that 11 years ago, India's automobile exports stood at approximately $16 billion and that figure has more than doubled, making India the fourth-largest automobile exporter globally. Acknowledging the contribution of the youth of Bengaluru and Karnataka in Operation Sindoor, Modi highlighted the success of Indian forces in the operation, noting their capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border. He attributed the success of Operation Sindoor to the power of technology and the strength of Make-in-India in the defence sector. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
India.com
22 minutes ago
- India.com
As PM Modi Inaugurates Namma Metro, Karnataka Govt Highlights Contribution Hinting At Credit War
BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday that the state's contribution to Bengaluru's Namma Metro was 80 per cent while that of the Centre was only 20 per cent. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, "I will appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide at least Rs 1 lakh crore for Bengaluru. The Centre was supposed to bear 50 per cent of the land acquisition cost for the Metro project but it hasn't given. However, we completed the project in the interest of the city. Though Bengaluru is the second highest tax contributor, it gets very little in return." "Ahmedabad is given 20 per cent of the tax devolution while Bengaluru gets only 10 per cent. Bengaluru needs to be treated on par with other large cities in the country like Delhi. We are not doing politics over this, we are only appealing," Shivakumar added. BJP hasn't brought even Rs 10 as funds for Karnataka, he chided. "BJP claims it has done everything. No BJP MP has even got Rs 10 as funds for Bengaluru. They should be ashamed of themselves. The Union Jal Shakti Minister has been responsive at times to our requests. Even MGNREGA funds haven't been released," the Deputy Chief Minister said. "Some BJP MPs think that tweeting and media coverage amounts to achievement. MPs must keep aside politics and PR and work for the welfare of the people," he said, while lashing out at the BJP MPs from the city. "The Centre has completely neglected Karnataka and hasn't released any funds. We have invited the Prime Minister out of respect for the post. We have implemented innovative double-decker project which can be a model for other Metros," he added. "Bengaluru generates one lakh new IT jobs every year. The Metro Yellow line will benefit the IT corridor. Electronic City flyover was also completed at the time of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Shivakumar told. Asked about BJP's comments that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's contribution to Metro phase 2 and 3, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "There is no contribution. All this started during former Chief Minister late S.M. Krishna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure. Let them (Union government) release the data on their contribution, I will release the numbers too." "I would like to thank Infosys Delta, Biocon and other companies, who contributed to building the Metro Yellow line stations," Shivakumar concluded.
Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
CM Siddaramaiah urges PM Modi to allocate more funding to Karnataka
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give precedence to Karnataka in terms of allocation of funds. He spoke after inaugurating the Yellow Line of the Metro project, laying the foundation stone for the third phase of Metro project in Bengaluru. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turning towards Prime Minister Modi reiterated, "I make this request to Prime Minister, that the priority has to be given to Karnataka, like how Maharashtra and Gujarat are given." Asking the dignitaries on the stage why they are laughing over his statement, the Chief Minister said that he is only requesting for additional assistance to Karnataka from the Central government. Talking about the Metro project in Bengaluru city, CM Siddaramaiah added, "The state government is providing 87.37 per cent of the funds for the Metro project, while the Central government's share is only 12.63 per cent." The Central government's partnership has also contributed to the implementation of the Bengaluru Metro project, he said. "The Central government provides financial and technical assistance for the Metro project. The state government has contributed Rs 25,387 crore for phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B, and 3 of the Metro project. In addition, an extra Rs 3,987 crore has been provided as loan repayment assistance. So far, Rs 59,139 crore has been allocated for the Metro projects. The state government's responsibility is 87.37 per cent, while the Central government's contribution from its treasury is only 12.63 per cent. The Central government has provided only Rs 7,468.86 crore," he added. "It was agreed that the Karnataka government and Central government would invest on a 50:50 basis. However, funds from the Central government have come mostly as loans, which the state government and Metro authorities must repay with interest. This has placed a burden of 87.37 per cent on the state," the Chief Minister said. Improving connectivity and making Bengaluru a global attractive city is a major step for us all to be proud of, he added. "With the inauguration of the Yellow Line, Bengaluru Metro now has a total operational length of 96.1 km, making it the longest Metro network in South India. This is a proud moment for every Kannadiga and proof of our commitment to development," CM Siddaramaiah said. He requested the Central government to provide more funds for Bengaluru's development and the nation's progress. There is mutual cooperation between the Central and state governments to provide better facilities to citizens, and he (PM Modi) expressed confidence that this partnership will grow stronger, the CM said. "The newly inaugurated Yellow Line, costing Rs 7,160 crore, connects key IT and technology hubs in Bengaluru, providing safe and fast travel for thousands of professionals, employees, and students. It is expected to serve nearly 3.5 lakh commuters daily. This is expected to greatly improve the severe traffic problems around Central Silk Board and Jayadeva Hospital," he added. "The Yellow Line also connects major biotech and IT hubs and provides easy access to important hospitals and industrial areas. The double-decker flyover constructed with state government funding from Ragigudda to Central Silk Board will improve traffic flow at one of Bengaluru's busiest junctions. This is an example of the state government's efforts to find solutions to Bengaluru's traffic issues," CM Siddaramaiah said. "Increasing urbanisation and population put tremendous pressure on city roads. Nearly nine lakh passengers use Bengaluru Metro services daily. With the addition of the Yellow Line, the number of commuters is expected to exceed 12.5 lakh," he added. "There is still a long way to go on the Bengaluru Metro route. With the operation of the second phase of the project, we will have a total of 117 km of Metro connectivity, allowing 15 lakh people to travel by Metro daily," CM Siddaramaiah said. "Phase 2A and 2B, which includes a 58 km route connecting Outer Ring Road and the airport at a cost of Rs 15,131 crore, will be completed by December 2027. This route will connect the international airport to Bengaluru city," he added. "Phase 3, a 44.65 km route costing Rs 15,611 crore, will further improve Bengaluru's connectivity. Civil work for this has started recently," he stressed. "Feasibility studies are underway for Phase 4, which involves constructing a 53 km double-decker-cum-Metro route," he said. "By 2030, the goal is to complete 220 km of metro routes in Bengaluru city, providing infrastructure for 30 lakh daily commuters," he emphasised. Private organisations such as Infosys Foundation, Biocon, and Delta Electronics have partnered in constructing Metro stations, he said. He (PM Modi) expressed confidence that public-private partnerships will strengthen Bengaluru's development efforts in the future, he added. "Karnataka contributes 35-40 per cent to the country's IT exports, with Bengaluru's share being significant. The state also accounts for more than 40 per cent of electronics and R&D exports. In this context, the government has formulated projects worth more than Rs 1.35 lakh crore, allocating resources to develop Bengaluru as a model city. Several projects are already underway," CM Siddaramaiah said. He appealed to the Central government to join hands in Bengaluru's development, which significantly contributes to the nation's economy.
