All the populist ‘Bhagya’ welfare schemes launched by the previous Congress government will be continued by the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government.
The first meeting of the Congress-JD(S) coordination committee on Thursday also resolved to set up a five-member committee to prepare a draft of the common minimum programme (CMP) within 10 days for ensuring smooth functioning of the H.D. Kumaraswamy government.
Briefing the media on the outcome of the meeting, the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is the chairman of the committee, said a decision was taken to continue implementation of all popular programmes of the previous government by the Kumaraswamy government.
The erstwhile Siddaramaiah government had implemented nearly a dozen Bhagya schemes and prominent among them are Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Arogya Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya, Indira Canteens, and Pashu Bhagya.
The drafting committee would study the election manifestos of both the Congress and the JD(S) and prepare the draft CMP. The coordination committee would approve the draft. The drafting committee comprises five members — three from the Congress and two from the JD(S). Members of the drafting committee would be notified on Friday.
Noting that it was difficult to implement all poll promises made by the coalition partners in the next five years, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the new programmes of the coalition government would be introduced only after the approval of the CMP by the coordination committee.
Chairpersons of boards
JD(S) leader and convener of the coordination committee Danish Ali and Mr. Siddaramaiah said the committee resolved to appoint chairpersons of 30 prominent boards and corporations within a week, which is part of a strategy to douse dissidence. Mr. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara would hold discussions and select candidates for appointment of chiefs of boards and corporations, they said.
As per the June 1 agreement, the Congress would nominate chiefs of 20 boards and corporations, and the JD(S) 10. Legislators are likely to be appointed as chairpersons of boards and corporations.
Mr. Siddaramaiah declined to answer to queries related to dissidence in the party and appointment of the new president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
All five members of the coordination committee attended the meeting at the Kumara Krupa Guest House here.