Kannada outfits write to Bommai

Belagavi: Kannada organisations of Belagavi have objected to Maharashtra government’s move to implement its Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojna (MJPJAY), a health guarantee scheme, in all the 865 villages in Karnataka, which have been claimed by Maharashtra in the Supreme Court.
The organizations have written to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, seeking his immediate attention. They said the Maharashtra’s move is against the federal system of the country and is a direct intervention in the affairs of other state.
A cabinet meeting chaired by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde took this decision recently, sanctioning Rs 54 crore for this purpose. According to a senior cabinet minister, the Maharashtra government is also mulling facilitating Marathi and non-Marathi speaking people in all 865 villagers with many other schemes which run in Maharashtra.
Ashok Chandaragi, head of action committee of Kannada organizations in Belagavi, in his letter to the CM said “Union home minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the CMs of both states on December 14 and directed them not to claim areas in the other state until the Supreme Court judgement. However, by introducing the health scheme in Karnataka, Maharashtra has violated the negotiation formula. The CM must bring this to the notice of Amit Shah and expose the conspiracy of the Maharashtra government,” he stated.
Chandaragi added that what the Maharashtra government has done is in contempt of court and this should be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court. He also urged the CM to ensure the Maharashtra health scheme is not implemented at the administrative level.
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah condemned the move of the Maharashtra government. Speaking to the media persons at Hubballi, he demanded that the Centre sack the eknath Shinde government. He also demanded the resignation of Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai.
While responding to the controversy in Belagavi, CM Bommai said, “Why should I resign if Maharashtra announces a scheme in Karnataka. I will see what they (Maharashtra) do and how it can be stopped. If they continue, we will also sanction funds to the people visiting Pandharpur and Tuljapur in Maharashtra,” he said.