No talks on cabinet rejig during Modi & Shah visit in April: Bommai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah are scheduled to make official trips to Karnataka in early April, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday (March 26), even as he clarified that no discussions will be held on the much-awaited cabinet rejig during these visits.

The CM, who also holds the finance portfolio said that a committee headed by the chief secretary, is being constituted for the first time in the state, to supervise budget implementation.

“On April 1, the Union minister for home and cooperation Amit Shah, who is working for reforms in the cooperative sector, will visit the state to attend a large meeting related to Ksheerabhivruddi bank that we plan to launch, aimed at giving a financial boost to the dairy sector that will increase farmers’ income and provide them financial support,” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, Bommai said PM Modi is expected to visit the state on April 5, but it is still tentative and has not been fully finalised.

Asked whether the anticipated expansion of his cabinet will be discussed during the visits, he said, “they are visiting the state for government programmes, the cabinet will not be discussed in Bengaluru. Whenever the leadership calls me, I will go to Delhi and discuss it.”

Also read: Moral education imp in competitive era: Bommai defends Bhagavad Gita in schools

There is pressure mounting on the CM to expand or rejig his cabinet soon after the Assembly elections in five states. Some legislators have even been advocating Gujarat-like overhaul of the Karnataka cabinet soon, to make way for new faces, ahead of the Assembly election next year. There are currently 30 ministers in the state cabinet, including the CM, against the sanctioned strength of 34.

Moreover, Bommai told reporters that he has instructed departments concerned to initiate implementation of the budget. And a committee headed by the chief secretary is being constituted to look into implementation and issuing of orders on the matter.

“The committee that also consists of the development commissioner will coordinate with all the departments including the finance department, and supervise all the activities from issuing of the work order regarding budget announcements to its implementation,” he said, adding this is the first time a special committee of this nature is being formed for budget implementation.

Further, noting that his government has given priority to industrialisation, Bommai said, all preparations are on for the Global Investors Meet in November and the government expects large scale investments. During the last three quarters, Karnataka has stood number one in the country in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), he said, adding this shows the trust of foreign investors in our state.

(With input from agencies)