Chitradurga: Chief minister S. Siddaramaiah seemed disappointed on Tuesday with Union minister from the state Sadananda Gowda losing the railways ministry.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a state convention of Stree Shakti groups, he said it would have been helpful for Karnataka if Mr Gowda had continued as railway minister.
With his move to the law ministry, he feared the state’s railway projects could take a back seat now. Asked about the appointment of heads of boards and corporations, the CM said this was a priority even over cabinet expansion
He later announced that Stree Shakti groups would get loans of upto three lakhs from next year as against one lakh currently to help women become economically strong.
He also revealed the government was considering extending health insurance to members of Stree Shakti groups and establish a separate bank for them
The Chief minister appealed to the women present to put an end to foeticide as it was causing imbalance in the sex ratio of the state and called for more awareness to prevent atrocities against women.
To prevent sexual assaults on children, the government had ordered all schools to install CCTV cameras and private schools had been told to appoint only women teachers in classes I to V, he added.
The CM said onion farmers who had suffered a loss would be compensated and assured that action would be taken after the report of Bengaluru north tahasildar on alleged encroachment of 10 acres by food and civil supplies minister , Dinesh Gundurao.
