Good administration is like a game of football, every player counts: Bommai

His government completes six months in power

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R “Good administration is like a game of football, and not cricket,” said Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Vidhana Soudha today, marking the completion of six months of his government.

“Here, every player has to be in the field. My team (cabinet) knows dribbling as well as defence. We know to play an aggressive game too. All the departments are equally important and help us achieve our common goal. I am fortunate to have good cabinet colleagues and supportive legislators.”

Bommai, who hailed the efforts of all past chief ministers in the development of Karnataka, said that a state with abundant natural resources, a long history of good governance and agricultural and industrial growth could progress only with the convergence of knowledge, resources and right policies.

"In the last six months, my team has laid a strong foundation to take Karnataka forward through many initiatives. Our government has strived to make a difference through conscious efforts. Our hallmark has been “arivu” (consciousness) and “antahkarana”(conscience). That is why we put the interest of the people first despite the financial constraints,” said Bommai, adding that all the benefits—from crop loss compensation to farmers, student scholarships for children of farmers and labourers to pension to senior citizens, widows and handicapped persons—were directly transferred to the beneficiaries. Bommai, who turns 62, recalled his administrative experience of having worked with five chief ministers. “I had seen many governments facing hard times due to droughts and floods. But a health emergency like the Covid pandemic was a very big challenge. I wanted to do a lot more for the people. But there was always the financial constraint.

“I am happy my cabinet has been on the same page as me and taken people-centric decisions," said Bommai, acknowledging the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda towards building a "strong" Karnataka.

Asserting that his government focussed on creating partners in development and not just beneficiaries, Bommai said, “Karnataka stands fourth in the country in per capita income. But only 30 per cent of people are contributing to the economy, and the remaining 70 per cent has only sustainable livelihood.

“We created secondary directorate for agriculture-allied activities that can give a second income to the farmers to make them self-reliant. Only hard work can bring about economic development and not mere capital. The growth in agriculture will have a cascading effect on industries and service sector. So, targeted intervention in both urban and rural areas is crucial.”

The chief minister noted that “social justice” had ended up as a political slogan and political capital and called for empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of the society through equal opportunity and social equality. "Most importantly, we must instil self-respect by making people self-reliant. The national education policy, employment policy will help empower the SC, ST and OBC communities.

“The regional disparity in Karnataka needs to be eliminated. The development of Kalyana Karnataka can ensure the overall development of the state. In the coming budget, the region will be given additional allocation of Rs 3,000 crore, provided the unused funds are utilised well,” said Bommai adding that it was former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa's guidance that was helping him take firm decisions that were always pro-people.