Under pressure from the Opposition parties, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the state government is contemplating to extend the Bidai scheme to all below poverty line (BPL) cardholders.
Under the scheme, the government announced Rs 50,000 cash or wedding gifts such as almirahs and cots to bride from minority communities.
After holding the ‘Janata Darshan’ at his official residence in the city, he told reporters that the scheme now covers all minority communities and the government is thinking of extending it to all BPL cardholders. “B S Yeddyurappa is staging a protest to take political mileage,” he said referring to the former chief minister who is demanding extension of the scheme to brides from all economically weaker section.
On a letter written by freedom fighter H S Doreswamy against Minister Santosh Lad, he said it has not reached him. “It is not correct to comment without knowing the content of the letter,” he said. On a proposal sent by the Kannada and Culture Department to give monthly pension of `1,600 to artistes, he said: “I will look into the proposal and discuss with officials,”
On the proposed tabling of the Anti-superstition Bill, Siddaramaiah said: “It has to be discussed in public. It will also be discussed by the party and Cabinet before taking any concrete decision.”
The Janatha Darshan, which is being held once a week, will be held once in 15 days.