Bengaluru: BJP MLC Dr C.T. Ravi on Saturday accused the Congress government of spending more on publicity than addressing public grievances, alleging that nearly ₹500 crore had been spent on advertisements while welfare payments to beneficiaries remained pending.
Speaking in Bengaluru, Ravi claimed that honorariums due to around 23 lakh beneficiaries had not been paid for the past eight months. He also alleged that payments to farmers for procured ragi were pending and milk producers were awaiting subsidies worth ₹900 crore. He further claimed that the situation had left some beneficiaries struggling to meet even their electricity expenses.
Criticising the government for organising celebrations amid drought-related hardships, Ravi said the administration should focus on pressing public concerns and prioritise expenditure accordingly.
On local body elections, Ravi alleged that the government was using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise as a pretext to delay Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls. He said BJP and JD(S) leaders had held discussions on preparations for the local body elections and the Hiriyur bypoll.
He added that the two parties would work out an electoral strategy for the next 14 to 16 months and consider supporting each other’s candidates based on their prospects in individual constituencies.
Ravi also said the BJP was preparing a charge sheet against the Congress government over alleged corruption and price rise. He questioned the Congress’s criticism of the SIR process, saying objections could be raised if eligible voters’ names were missing from the electoral rolls.
Highlighting the Centre’s role in infrastructure development, Ravi said it was extending significant support to Karnataka through projects involving national highways, railways and rural roads. He also cited the Bengaluru Metro Pink Line as an example of central assistance.