Rayaraddi says media distorted his remarks on guarantee schemes, infrastructure funding

KALABURAGI

A day after expressing concern over the strain that the guarantee schemes place on the State’s finances, Yelburga MLA and Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi on Sunday said that his comments have been misinterpreted by the media.

Speaking to reporters in Koppal, Mr. Rayaraddi denied ever claiming that the State government lacks funds for development projects.

“My words were distorted by the media. I never said that the government doesn’t have money for development. When people ask for roads to their agricultural fields, I promised them that we will provide both rice under the guarantee scheme and funds for roadworks. This year alone, ₹100 crore has been allocated for road development,” he said.

His clarification follows a statement that he made at a public meeting in Yaravanike village of Kukanur taluk on Saturday where he indicated that the government is facing difficulty in funding infrastructure projects due to the large financial outlay on guarantee schemes.

However, when pressed further on the subject, Mr. Rayaraddi reiterated his support for the schemes.

“If I were made Finance Minister, I will further expand the guarantee schemes. There is no shortage of funds. There’s nothing wrong with supporting the poor,” he said.

On the issue of leadership change in the State, Mr. Rayaraddi dismissed speculation, affirming that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will serve his full term.

“All MLAs have unanimously elected Siddaramaiah to lead the government for five years. There is no question of leadership change. The Chief Minister has clarified it and so has the high command. Any change will require a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party. Moreover, there are no corruption charges against Siddaramaiah and he remains one of the finest Chief Ministers in the country,” he claimed.