BENGALURU: A day after the state government issued a notification to establish Bharat Jodo Youth associations across the state, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said they will be established within a month.
Leader of the Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka, said the Congress government is keen on setting up clubs for party workers using taxpayers’ money.
Each association will get a financial aid of Rs 10 lakh from the government, Dr Parameshwara told reporters. Each association will have between 100 and 250 members. This initiative is to mark Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir.
“We had promised in our election manifesto that a special programme would be announced to commemorate the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The CM approved the proposal recently,” he said.
The scheme will be implemented by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports in association with the RDPR, Urban Development, Revenue and Education departments. Guidelines for formation of associations at the gram panchayat level have been issued.
These associations will organise sports and cultural activities and raise awareness among the youth on the significance of national events such as Independence Day and Republic Day. “There is nothing wrong even if up to Rs 1,000 crore is spent on empowering the youth. The matter was discussed extensively by the cabinet,’’ Dr Parameshwara said.
On the delay in cabinet expansion, Dr Parameshwara said it would not affect the legislative session from August. “We will manage it. Around 20 ministerial posts are vacant. Discussions are on at the party high-command level. Rahul Gandhi has returned from his foreign visit. A decision on it will be taken soon,” he added.
Meanwhile, LoP in Assembly R Ashoka has opposed the ruling Congress’s move to establish Bharat Jodo Youth associations across the state. Ashoka alleged that the Congress government, which has withheld assistance and pensions meant for farmers, senior citizens, orphans and widows, is keen on setting up clubs for party workers using taxpayers’ money. “The government is yet to release Rs 5,000 crore under Gruha Lakshmi and Rs 750 crore under Anna Bhagya,” he said.