Within hours of assuming the post of Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar announced a massive 6 point welfare and development plan in his first Cabinet meeting, holding that students will be given free bus passes, a state run private employment exchange, creation of 10,000 youth clubs, and significant investments in urban infrastructure. Shivakumar said his government was to implement what was promised and place the initiatives as the start of a new ‘Youth Era’ for Karnataka. Decisions have been the first major promises made by the new administration and are indicative of a new focus on protecting the well being of the young and creating jobs and public development.
DK Shivakumar’s Free Travel Scheme: More Details
One of the big decisions made was to extend free travel benefits to students statewide. Shivakumar said that all the school children will get free bus fare on government non luxury buses. The decision was made with the aim of meeting student demands which have been longstanding, particularly with boys asking why other girls had received similar benefits earlier, he said. The Chief Minister brushed aside worries about funding, saying the Government would mobilise any resources it could to help students and enhance access to education. This scheme will be formally implemented and students will be required to apply for the passes then.
Employment Opportunities: DK Shivakumar’s Plan
In an effort to address the unemployment problem, it has also announced the setting up of an employment exchange to be run by the state and linked to employment in the private sector. The framework will be finalized in a month, he said, adding it will be based on providing better employment avenues for Kannadigas. The government is also progressing with the recruitment of around 56,000 unfilled government jobs, with a plan to announce the appointments soon. The Chief Minister called employment generation as a priority area and stated that the state would play an active role in creating jobs instead of putting the onus on the job seekers to go out and find jobs themselves.
Youth Clubs: What Are They? DK Shivakumar Explains
Shivakumar said that he had launched his ‘dream project’ by establishing 10,000 youth associations under the banner ‘Bharat Jodo’. Clubs will be formed at the panchayat level in rural areas and ward level in urban areas, each of which is to be given a government subsidy of Rs 10 lakh. The initiative aims at encouraging sports, cultural activities, leadership development and social harmony and will cost an estimated Rs 1,000 crore. Shivakumar explained that the spending was justified since it would enable the potential of the youth in Karnataka to be unleashed and provide platforms for growth and participation community led.
Farmers, Bengaluru Roads, Homeowners: Everyone Is Important
The Cabinet also adopted a series of measures to benefit the homeowners, urban residents and farmers. The government announced relief for property owners in relation to the problems with the Occupancy Certificates and Completion Certificates and extended the conversion of B Khata properties to A Khata in all parts of Karnataka. Shivakumar sanctioned Rs 2,000 crore to asphalt roads that are not part of existing infrastructure projects, in Bengaluru, which are to be completed in a few months. A dedicated programme is in the works and will be announced soon after consultation with experts, the Chief Minister added, reiterating the state’s long term development plans which include agriculture.
