07/07/2026
Bidar: 'Guarantee Schemes Will Not Be Discontinued Under Any Circumstances,' Says Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar
Bidar, July 6: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday assured that the Congress government's guarantee schemes would continue without interruption, stating that they would not be discontinued under any circumstances.
Addressing a Congress workers' convention organised by the District Congress Committee at Ganesh Maidan in Bidar, the Chief Minister said the government was only undertaking a re-verification exercise to prevent misuse of the schemes and not to withdraw them.
"We are reviewing the beneficiaries only to stop benefits from reaching deceased persons or those who are not eligible, including people from other states. There is no question of discontinuing the guarantee schemes. No one should have any reason to worry," Shivakumar said.
He noted that Karnataka's guarantee schemes had become a model for the entire country and claimed they had even received appreciation from the United Nations. He also accused the BJP of criticising the schemes while later introducing similar welfare programmes in states governed by the party.
BJP Criticised Over Unfulfilled Promises
The Chief Minister alleged that although the BJP had returned to power at the Centre for a third consecutive term, it had failed to fulfil its promises.
"They are doing politics in the name of God and religion, while we are working to empower the poor," he said.
72,000 Government Vacancies to Be Filled
Shivakumar announced that the state government would fill 72,000 vacancies across various departments over the next three months.
The recruitment drive will include:
15,000 teachers
15,000 posts in the Urban Development Department
6,800 civic workers
3,300 police personnel
1,600 posts in the Energy Department
Congress Workers Asked to Assist in SIR Exercise
The Chief Minister urged Congress workers to actively participate in creating awareness about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
He said many poor and rural voters were unaware of the enumeration process and appealed to party workers to help citizens fill out the required forms and submit them to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). If necessary, party-appointed BLA-2 representatives should collect the forms and hand them over to BLOs.
"In a democracy, the right to vote is the greatest strength. Every eligible voter should complete the enumeration process," he said.
Deputy CM Parameshwara on Employment and Fuel Prices
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara criticised the Union Government for not reducing fuel prices despite a fall in international crude oil prices.
He said the Karnataka government was committed to creating employment opportunities for the younger generation and had already begun the process of filling vacant government posts.
Eshwar Khandre Seeks Drought Declaration for Bidar
Rural Development Minister Eshwar B. Khandre urged the Chief Minister to declare Bidar district drought-hit, citing poor rainfall and severe hardships faced by farmers.
He said the district had received significantly below-normal rainfall and required around ₹2,500 crore to complete pending irrigation projects. Khandre also sought government support for reviving three cooperative sugar factories, approving Bidar's tourism development proposal, and providing relief to people affected by the Karanja project.
MP Sagar Khandre on SIR Awareness
MP Sagar Khandre urged Congress workers to educate voters about the SIR process and ensure that eligible citizens completed the required formalities to safeguard their voting rights.
CM Warns Supporters Against Personality Cult
During the event, supporters of leaders including Eshwar Khandre, Rajshekhar Patil, and Rahim Khan raised slogans as Shivakumar began his speech.
Visibly displeased, the Chief Minister advised party workers to give priority to the party over individual leaders.
"You should learn to respect and strengthen the party instead of engaging in personality worship. Holding photographs and shouting slogans will not earn anyone a position. I came up through the Youth Congress and never behaved in this manner," he said, after which the crowd quietened.
Confident of Congress Returning to Power in 2028
Expressing confidence in the party's future, Shivakumar said the Congress would return to power in Karnataka in 2028.
He urged party leaders and workers to remain united ahead of the upcoming local body elections expected within the next few months. Referring to the 2023 Assembly elections, he said the Congress had expected to win five of the six Assembly seats in Bidar district but secured only two. He called upon party workers to work collectively to win all six seats in the next election.
'BJP Has No Moral Right to Seek Votes in the Name of Lord Ram'
In a sharp attack on the BJP, Shivakumar said the party had no moral authority to seek votes in the name of Lord Ram or religion.
"Loot is taking place in the name of Ram and religion. People donated gold and silver in the name of Lord Ram, and even the rice distributed by our government was used as Mantrakshate. Congress is a party that unites people and works to empower the poor," he said.
