“Where is the money?” students disappointed with CM Kumaraswamy

The students have been disappointed with Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy as many promises have not been kept by the state government.

After the massive farmers’ loan waivered off, now the students are demanding the promises made to them be kept. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is now facing a new challenge with pressure mounting on him to distribute free laptops among 1.5 lakh students doing their first-year under-graduate(UG) course in the state.

This promise was made by former CM Siddaramiahin the budget he presented before the recent Assembly polls.

The free laptop scheme is expected to cost a budget of Rs. 180 crore, which is currently not possible for the state to bear.

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This disappointment comes after the CM Kumaraswamy had washed off his hands on the matter of free bus passes.

“I have not said that I will give free bus passes to students. Have I? How is it possible to give subsidy on each and everything,” said a visibly upset Kumaraswamy.

The free bus pass would cost the state Rs 1,500 crore. Congress leaders, especially Coordination Committee Chairman Siddaramaiah, are putting pressure on him to continue all the announcements made in the previous budget without delay. But Kumaraswamy has been countering them asking: “Where is the money?”

A JDS MLA said that the free laptops to the students will be given, but is unable to say when it will happen. This promise made by the previous government had to be kept by the current one as the price of joining hands with Congress to form the coalition government.