Independence Day: CM slams Manuvad, backs Samvidhanvad
Comparing Manuvad to Social Darwinism, the CM warned that allowing such thinking to shape governance would undermine democracy and social justice. 'Our Constitution enshrines liberty, equality and fraternity. To ignore this is to betray the freedom struggle,' he said, invoking Dr B.R. Ambedkar's call for political democracy to be grounded in social democracy.
He linked this philosophy to the state's Guarantee Schemes, saying they are designed to counter extreme economic inequality — with the wealthiest 10 percent holding 80 percent of India's wealth yet contributing just 3 percent of GST revenue, compared to the 97 percent borne by ordinary citizens.
Since May 2023, schemes like Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and Yuva Nidhi have received over Rs 96,000 crore, boosting women's workforce participation by 23 percent and raising per capita income.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted record agricultural arrivals, Rs 51,339 crore in farm allocations, Rs 10 lakh crore in industrial proposals, Rs 1.35 lakh crore in Bengaluru projects, expanded health and education infrastructure, renewable energy capacity rising to 24,000 MW, and digitisation of land records.
He reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating regional disparities, strengthening welfare for marginalised groups, and protecting Karnataka's share in central resources.
The CM said Karnataka now ranks first in per capita income, with a 101 percent rise in the past decade, and is spending over Rs 1.12 lakh crore this year on welfare measures. The state has also received more than 250 national awards in two years, and ranks first in justice delivery according to the India Justice Report.
In agriculture, the government reversed previous privatisation moves, strengthened APMCs to record 164 lakh metric tonnes in arrivals — a 447 percent rise — and supported farmers with MSP for mango and copra, plus compensation for Togari crop failures.
This year's budget allocates Rs 51,339 crore to agriculture, but Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to resolve urea supply shortages. The 'REWARD' scheme has delivered soil resource cards to 8 lakh farmers, while incentives worth Rs 3,283 crore have gone to dairy farmers.
On industry, the CM said 18 Special Investment Regions covering 44,166 acres have been declared, Rs 10 lakh crore worth of proposals are in the pipeline, and Karnataka ranks second nationally in FDI. The manufacturing sector contributes 23.6 percent to GSDP, while tourism policy reforms aim to create world-class infrastructure.
The education budget stands at Rs 65,000 crore, with 500 Karnataka Public Schools being set up, new hostels, improved mid-day meals for 53 lakh children, and expansion of technical education. The state is framing its first Karnataka-specific education policy based on recommendations from the Sukhadeo Thorat panel.
In health, super-speciality hospitals have been completed in Belagavi and Kalaburagi, the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme expanded, and maternal mortality reduced by 26 per cent. Cancer care centres now operate under a hub-and-spoke model, while the Gruha Arogya Scheme has widened screening for non-communicable diseases.
Urban development includes Rs 1.35 lakh crore worth of Bengaluru projects, e-Khata expansion, resolution of the B-Khata issue, and wastewater reuse to replenish lakes. Irrigation plans include completing the Yettinahole project by 2027.
The CM also announced Rs 5,000 crore annually for Kalyana Karnataka's regional development, projects to combat sea erosion, renewable energy growth to 24,000 MW, digitisation of 100 crore land records, and upgrading 3,300 hamlets into revenue villages.
Concluding, the CM urged citizens to reject divisive ideologies and unite in safeguarding harmony, democracy, and constitutional freedoms. 'Let us make Karnataka a garden of peace, rooted in the values of the Constitution — not in the hierarchies of Manuvad,' he declared.
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