Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Denies Green Cess Rumors
In Bengaluru, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has dismissed claims that the state government plans to impose a green cess on water bills in urban areas. He labeled these reports as “bogus news” spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shivakumar clarified, “There is no such proposal.”
Western Ghats Conservation Proposal
Reports had suggested that Karnataka’s Forest Department might propose a green cess of Rs 2 or 3 to fund the conservation of the eco-sensitive Western Ghats. These Ghats are crucial for biodiversity and are the source of many rivers like Tunga, Bhadra, and Kaveri, which provide water to various regions in the state.
CM Siddaramaiah’s Allegations Against BJP
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize the state government by offering Rs 50 crore to Congress MLAs. He stated, “I said what they did previously. They tried to destabilize the government by offering Rs 50 crores, in which they couldn’t succeed.” Deputy CM Shivakumar mentioned that they would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and update the media.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka -: Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, history, and beautiful landscapes.
Deputy CM -: Deputy CM stands for Deputy Chief Minister. This person is the second-in-command in the state government, assisting the Chief Minister in running the state.
DK Shivakumar -: DK Shivakumar is a politician in India and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Green Cess -: A green cess is a small extra charge that might be added to bills, like water bills, to raise money for environmental conservation projects.
CM Siddaramaiah -: CM Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the head of the state government.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India.
Western Ghats -: The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India known for their rich biodiversity and are important for environmental conservation.
Congress MLAs -: MLAs are Members of the Legislative Assembly, elected representatives in the state government. Congress is another major political party in India.
Destabilization -: Destabilization means trying to make something unstable or weak, in this case, trying to weaken the government.
