Hours after taking charge as new Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday announced some key decisions.
Addressing a press conference, Bommai announced a new scholarship scheme for the children of farmers worth Rs 1000 crore.
The Chief Minister also announced that widow pension has been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800 at an additional cost of Rs 414 crore.
“Widow pension has been increased from Rs.600 to Rs.800 at an additional cost of Rs 414 crore helping 17.25 lakh beneficiaries. Financial assistance for Divyang people is increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800 at a cost of Rs 90 crore helping 3.66 lakh beneficiaries,” he announced.
“The Old Age Pension under Sandhya Suraksha scheme will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 at additional cost of Rs 863.52 crore helping 35.98 lakh people,” he added.
He further said that the state government will focus on maintaining fiscal discipline through efficient utilisation of resources and reducing expenditure amid COVID-19.
“I took the cabinet and officials’ meeting after taking charge. In the meeting, I have told them about our agenda. Our priority is flood and COVID-19 management. New scholarship scheme will be brought for the children of farmers with Rs 1000 crore,” Bommai said, ANI reported.
Commenting on Mekedatu dam row, he said, “Our stand on Mekedatu is very clear. Legally we are on the right side. It is our right to utilise surplus water in the Cauvery basin.”
On Wednesday, Bommai took oath as Chief Minister, with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administering the oath to the 61 year-old leader at the Raj Bhavan.
Bommai, a Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, was appointed as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Tuesday. He served as Minister of state for Home, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislature in B S Yediyurappa’s council of ministers that was dissolved on Monday following the latter’s resignation as CM.
Bommai said that Yediyurappa started people-friendly and pro-people programs and managed everything well even in financial crisis.
“I will follow the guidelines formed by him. I will visit flood affected places and have asked time from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will go once he calls me,” he said
