Karnataka Government Defends Granting Cabinet Rank to Party Workers Amid Criticism

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday defended the decision to give cabinet rank to party workers, saying it was a matter of status and recognition for those who helped bring the party to power. Responding to criticism, Shivakumar questioned what the BJP had done during its time in power and dismissed the objections raised by the opposition. “They have got us to power, they will get power. It’s about status. More will get it," he said. Reacting to the move, BJP leader and Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, N Ravikumar criticised the government, saying that the Congress had 139 MLAs but cabinet rank had been given to 150 individuals. “Some of them are MLAs, some are not. Whoever complained that they did not get cabinet ranks, to appease them, the state government has given them the status. Whose money are they spending on it? It’s the people’s tax money. How can they do this?" Ravikumar said. He demanded that the Chief Minister release a list of all those given cabinet rank and disclose how much money was being spent on them. “There is no development in the state. Bengaluru has turned into a pothole city. Funds are not being given to MLAs for development, but they are spending people’s tax money to appease some individuals," he added. According to details, the Siddaramaiah government has handed out cabinet and minister of state ranks to a total of 149 individuals so far. This includes 32 full-fledged ministers who are constitutionally appointed cabinet ministers, 43 MLAs granted cabinet rank as chairpersons of various corporations and boards, and 11 MLAs given minister of state status as heads of smaller corporations. Among non-MLAs, cabinet rank has been granted to nine advisers and special representatives, while minister of state rank has been given to 54 Congress leaders and workers. Recently, 54 more people serving as heads of boards and corporations were given minister of state status, raising serious questions over the burden on the exchequer. Those granted cabinet or minister of state rank are entitled to a monthly salary of Rs 50,000, a hospitality allowance of Rs 3,000, daily travel allowance of Rs 2,000 within the state and Rs 2,500 outside the state, and a fuel allowance of 1,000 litres of petrol or diesel per month. They are also provided house rent allowance of Rs 80,000 per month, house maintenance and staff allowance of Rs 20,000 per month, medical expense reimbursement, and staff facilities including a personal secretary, personal assistants, drivers and an attender. At government programmes, they are given seating arrangements and protocol equivalent to those of state ministers.