'All govt residential schools will be renamed as Maharishi Valmiki Schools': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka's Raichur University will also be renamed as Maharishi Valmiki University.

On the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that all residential schools in the state will be renamed 'Maharshi Valmiki Residential Schools,' ANI reported

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (PTI)

He also criticised the BJP for its lack of initiative in promoting equality of minority communities.

"All Govt residential schools in Karnataka will be renamed as Maharshi Valmiki residential schools. No other BJP ruling state brought the amendment to reserve the SCP and TSP for the community which it belongs to, BJP only talks about equality without doing anything to implement it," he said.

"Baba Saheb Ambedkar warned that equality will not come unless economic and social inequality goes away. If our government implements guarantees to give economic power to the poor of all religions, all castes, it is the BJP who opposes it. So the beneficiaries of the guarantees should give a proper lesson to the BJP. Don't be fooled by BJP's lies, give correct answer to BJP's lies. The promotion reservation implemented by us was upheld by the Supreme Court. It was first implemented by our government. It was our government that first introduced reservation in leases. The people of the country should understand this. Don't believe this just because I said so. Discern truth and falsehood. Dalit, backward and minority communities should develop the courage to speak the truth openly. This is our tribute to Maharishi Valmiki," he added.

Earlier on Dusshera, Siddaramaiah recalled that he had pledged to launch five guarantee schemes, aiming to empower the weaker sections, upon winning the elections. He fulfilled his promise by implementing all five schemes within just eight months of taking office.

"Within eight months of winning, we have already launched all five schemes," he stated.

Siddaramaiah had released a statement highlighting his administration's achievements in the state, particularly the schemes that benefited minority communities. These schemes, Siddaramaiah explained, are designed to strengthen the weaker sections of society both socially and economically, as envisioned by the Constitution. He mentioned that each beneficiary family is receiving an annual financial support of ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 through the five guarantee programs, the release added.

Under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, 1.21 crore women heads of families are getting ₹2,000 per month. The Gruha Jyoti scheme provides free electricity to 1.40 crore households. Additionally, under the Yuva Nidhi scheme, 1.82 lakh unemployed graduates and diploma holders are receiving financial assistance, it added.

(With ANI inputs)