Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murty misinterpreted the motive behind the current socio-economic survey conducted in the state. The CM said the couple thought that the survey was for backward classes alone. They allegedly refused to participate, citing that their involvement would be of no use to the government or the commission as they are not a backward class member.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that the survey is conducted across all seven crore individuals of Karnataka, and not any particular community. He said this has already been explained many times. "Let them write whatever they like, but people should see what this survey really is. Even if they still cannot get it, what can I do?" he stated.
The Chief Minister also emphasized a number of welfare schemes to assist women in the state. He pointed out that women can go free in RTC buses and economically weaker women are given financial support of Rs. 2,000 as monthly allowance.
Siddaramaiah asked whether upper-caste or financially strong women do have the expectation of being covered under such schemes. He clarified that in spite of repeated explanations by ministers, some illusions about the survey persist.
He also added that even the central government is going to carry out a caste-based census. "When that is done, what will their reaction be?" he questioned, hinting that the Murthy couple could be banking on misleading information.
Acting on news of potential leadership shifts in the state government, Siddaramaiah refuted such rumors. He averred that leadership shifts are natural and do not constitute a revolution. He requested people not to believe such hearsay.
The Chief Minister also justified the cabinet decision to ban RSS programs in government offices, schools, and colleges. He made it clear that the action is not against the RSS organization. In his view, any organization seeking to organize such programs needs to take permission from the relevant authorities.
