Bengaluru, 12 Feb

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday hailed Karnataka government’s guarantee schemes. He said more than 1.2 crore families are coming out of the poverty line and rising to the middle class status because of them.

In his customary address to both Houses of Legislature at the beginning of the Budget session, he also said Karnataka gets less in terms of tax share, despite being ranked second among the states that collect highest tax in the country, remarks seen as the Congress’ dig at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

BJP legislators were seen wearing saffron shawls during the proceedings and shouted "Jai Sri Ram", "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" slogans at the end of the Governor's speech. Congress leaders retaliated by shouting ‘Jai Bhim’.

"It is a global record that more than five crore people of the State will be promoted to middle class status by this one decision (guarantee schemes) of my Government," Gehlot said.

Karnataka's guarantee schemes are a model for the country, he said, adding that other governments are competing to adopt them.

Gehlot also said domestic and foreign investment is flowing into the State in a big way. In the last eight months, investment of more than Rs 77,000 crore has come into the State.

The government is ready to implement more pro-people schemes, the Governor said. However, not enough resources are available from various sources.

Responding to the BJP leaders wearing orange shawls to the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “Religion should be a part of politics, politics should not be religion. Let them wear whatever they want. Let them wear black or orange, all we care is about the welfare of the State.” Shivakumar also claimed that Congress introduced the ‘Karnataka Model’ to the country. Based on Basavanna’s life. “Prime minister Narendra Modi is copying our guarantee model in his campaign. Our government has done in six months what no government could do in the history of the country.