Ballari Chalo Resolutions: BJP Seeks Return of ₹187 Crore to Valmiki Corporation, ₹5 Lakh Farm Loan Waiver, 2.5 Lakh Government Jobs
Ballari/Bengaluru: The BJP’s ‘Ballari Chalo’ padayatra concluded with a wide-ranging set of resolutions demanding that the Karnataka government ensure the return of ₹187 crore allegedly siphoned from the Maharshi Valmiki Corporation, waive agricultural loans of up to ₹5 lakh for drought-hit farmers, begin recruitment to 2.5 lakh vacant government posts, issue a white paper on SCSP-TSP funds and undertake UPSC-model reforms in the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
The resolutions extended the campaign beyond the Valmiki Corporation issue to drought relief, agriculture, power supply, irrigation, unemployment, pensions, milk incentives, Gruha Lakshmi, roads, drug trafficking, backward-class development corporations, North Karnataka, BPL cards and elections to rural and urban local bodies.
On the Maharshi Valmiki Corporation, the BJP demanded that the government take steps to ensure that ₹187 crore which it alleged had been looted from the corporation’s account is returned to the corporation. It also demanded punishment for all those it alleged were responsible, including those in the Congress high command. The allegations are contained in the resolutions adopted as part of the Ballari Chalo campaign.
The party also strongly criticised what it described as discrimination in declaring drought-hit areas and failure in drought management. It demanded that the government immediately declare drought-hit taluks on the basis of the actual situation and ensure proper management of drought conditions.
For farmers affected by drought, the resolutions sought immediate release of compensation. The BJP also demanded a complete waiver of agricultural loans of up to ₹5 lakh taken by farmers and supply of three-phase electricity for at least 10 hours a day.
The party raised the issue of SCSP-TSP funds, alleging that money intended for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had been misused. It demanded that the state government immediately issue a white paper on the utilisation of these funds.
On irrigation, the BJP demanded budgetary allocation for construction of a parallel reservoir at Navile and called for the project to be taken up on an urgent basis.
Unemployment figured prominently in the resolutions. The BJP said the unemployment problem in Karnataka was growing rapidly and demanded urgent measures for job creation. It specifically called on the government to begin without delay the process of filling what it said were 2.5 lakh vacant government posts.
The resolutions also sought major changes in the Karnataka Public Service Commission. Referring to what the BJP described as irregularities in KPSC, the party demanded that investigations against those responsible for corruption be accelerated and that guilty persons be punished.
For longer-term reform of KPSC, the BJP demanded adoption of a UPSC-style model to make the commission function permanently in a transparent manner. The demand combines action over alleged irregularities with structural reform of the state’s recruitment body.
The party also raised social security payments, alleging that old-age pension, Sandhya Suraksha benefits and pensions for persons with disabilities had been stopped. It demanded immediate release of the monthly payments.
For farmers and cattle rearers dependent on animal husbandry, the BJP said milk incentives that had earlier been provided had been stopped. It demanded immediate release of the incentive amount and continuation of the scheme.
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