BENGALURU: A day after he ordered cut down on unnecessary expenses for the renovation of offices and residences, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he would not travel by private flights in his attempt to “save public money”.
Speaking at National College, Jayanagar — his alma mater — Kumaraswamy mocked former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa for running travel bills up to Rs13 lakh when he was Chief Minister for just three days - between May 17 and 20.
Kumaraswamy also announced his thoughts on providing free education for girls till graduation. Kumaraswamy called himself a “luck- by-chance Chief Minister” reiterating his controversial statement of owing the CM’s post to the Congress and not to the people of Karnataka. “I am Chief Minister today because of the Congress’ support. I do not know how long they will continue to support me but until I am Chief Minister, I will work towards correcting the system,” Kumaraswamy said.
Taking the lead in cutting down additional expenses and gearing up for a tight purse to accommodate his commitment to a farm loan waiver, Kumaraswamy on Monday declared that all the tax money collected from the public will be utilised judiciously. “I will not misuse public money to travel on private flights. I foot my own fuel bill for the government cars I use. Every penny of the tax money will be utilised effectively,” Kumaraswamy said even as he acknowledged that the farm loan waiver being worked out will be implemented without denting the State’s economy.
The state government is looking to plug unnecessary expenditure to save money that can be contributed towards the massive farm loans waiver promised by the JD(S). “I have to work within the framework of the fiscal responsibility act. I am working towards implementing the loan waiver without disturbing the state’s finances,” he said.
Kumaraswamy was felicitated by National College to mark its centenary celebrations. An alumnus of National College, He ran for students’ union secretary elections that marked the beginning of his political journey.