Bengaluru, April 8 -- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for seeking details on funds released under the state's guarantee schemes in Davanagere and Bagalkot districts, where by-elections are currently underway.
Responding to the ECI's communication, Siddaramaiah asserted that the state's guarantee schemes were not introduced as election-time inducements but were ongoing programmes implemented as part of the Congress party's commitments made during the 2023 Assembly elections. He said funds are being regularly transferred to beneficiaries in a transparent and structured manner, in accordance with established guidelines.
Describing the schemes as a governance initiative, the...