Basavaraj Bommai was sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, 28 July, a day after he was selected for the post in the aftermath of BS Yediyurappa's resignation.
Congratulating Bommai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "he brings with him rich legislative and administrative experience." "I am confident he will build on the exceptional work done by our Government in the state," the PM tweeted.
On Yediyurappa, Modi tweeted saying, "No words will ever do justice to the monumental contribution of Shri @BSYBJP (BS Yediyurappa) Ji towards our Party and for Karnataka’s growth. For decades, he toiled hard, travelled across all parts of Karnataka and struck a chord with people. He is admired for his commitment to social welfare."
COVID-19, Floods on Agenda
Bommai apprised the media of the agenda of his administration later in the day and said, "Took the cabinet and officials' meet after taking charge. In officials meeting, I've told them about our agenda. Our priority is flood and COVID-19 management. New scholarship scheme will be brought for the children of farmers with Rs 1000 crores," news agency ANI reported.
He added that with an additional cost of Rs 414 crore, widow pension has been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800, helping 17.25 lakh beneficiaries.
Further, financial assistance for Divyang people is increased from Rs 600 to Rs 800 at a cost of Rs 90 crore, helping 3.66 lakh beneficiaries.
"The Old Age Pension under Sandhya Suraksha scheme will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 at an increased cost of Rs 863.52 crore, helping 35.98 lakh people," he added.
Bommai said that as the country combats COVID-19, his government will focus on maintaining fiscal discipline by efficient utilisation of resources and reducing expenditure, ANI reported.
'Experienced Leader'
Before taking oath, Bommai had met Yediyurappa as well as Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who attended the Karnataka BJP legislature party meeting on Tuesday as a party central observer.
"I will chair a meeting of the Cabinet later today. After that, I will hold a meeting with senior officers to review the COVID-19 and flood situation in the state."Basavaraj Bommai, as quoted by ANI, before taking oath
Bommai had been serving as the state's Minister of Home Affairs under the Yediyurappa government.
On Bommai's elevation, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said he is an educated and an experienced leader. "I am confident that the Karnataka government will do well under his leadership. So far, there is no decision on deputy CMs to be appointed in Karnataka. Party's national leadership will decide on it", he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashok spoke to NDTV and said, “Feels like a family member has become the chief minister."
An MLA from Shiggaon constituency, Bommai is the son of SR Bommai, who had served as Karnataka CM in 1988-99. He had earlier been part of Janata Dal (United), before joining the BJP in 2008.
Bommai was elected as the Karnataka BJP legislature party leader at a meeting of MLAs held on 27 July, which was also attended by Union ministers and party central observers Dharmendra Pradhan and G Kishan Reddy. Yediyurappa was also part of the meeting.
(With inputs from ANI)
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