Karnataka to receive 4,500 electric buses under PM e-Drive scheme
Union Minister
H.D. Kumaraswamy
has announced that Karnataka will receive 4,500
electric buses
under the central government's
green mobility initiative
, the
PM e-Drive Scheme
. The move is part of India's broader objective to reduce transport-related pollution and achieve
net-zero emissions
by 2070.
'We've taken a major decision for Karnataka. Under the PM e-Drive initiative, we are providing electric buses. We are working earnestly to realise PM's vision of net zero emissions by 2070,' Kumaraswamy said in a media release.
Kumaraswamy criticised Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for reportedly shutting down Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating within government hospital premises. These centres provide low-cost medicines to the public.
'Are you clearing Jan Aushadhi stores to make space for liquor or narcotics outlets?' Kumaraswamy questioned. He alleged that the move could benefit specific groups while denying affordable medicines to the poor and middle class.
The Union Minister also questioned the state government's reported decision to pay ₹1.49 crore to senior advocate Kapil Sibal for representing former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case. 'Whose money is that? Is it Siddaramaiah's personal money? Why is the government paying for a private legal defense?' he asked.
Kumaraswamy further criticised the state Cabinet's alleged decision to halt investigations into irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitments from 2011. He alleged that appointments within the KPSC have been linked to financial transactions. 'In fact, the person responsible for the Arkavathi land scam has now been made the KPSC Chairman. They've fixed rates of lakhs and crores for each post,' he said.
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