Belagavi DC puts an end to Maharashtra's Transgression

Thanks to the pressure built up by Belagavi Zilla Kannada Sanghatanegala Kriya Samiti led by its President Ashok Chandaragi, the district administration has at last woken up from slumber to close down the four Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) Health Insurance Scheme units in Belagavi city.

In 865 villages: It may be recalled here that the neighbouring Maharashtra State Government has envisaged an ambitious Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Health Insurance Scheme, keeping in mind the residents of 865 villages Belagavi, Karwar and Bidar districts. The ploy of the Maharashtra Government is to hoodwink the Supreme Court under the pretext that it is taking care of the people in the border areas of Karnataka to put a claim over the same. By doing so the Maharashtra State Government has transgressed into 865 villages in Karnataka beyond its own territorial jurisdiction and playing mischief, unbecoming of any responsible authority to boast of.

Belagavi to continue in Karnataka: Despite the Mahajan Commission report clearly favouring Belagavi to continue in Karnataka, the Maharashtra government and its MES puppets continue to harp on their dubious claims over Belagavi also known as Kundara Naadu (Golden Land). Apart from Belagavi, the Commission had also recommended around 247 villages/places including Jatta, Akkalkote and Sholapur to be part of Karnataka. On the other hand, the same Commission had suggested parting away around 264 villages/places including Nandagad, Nippani and Khanapur to be part of Maharashtra. But Marathi chauvinists prefer ignorance when it comes to returning the hundred per cent Kannada regions to Karnataka.

MES vanishes in Assembly polls: Ever since the general elections soon after the reorganization of states on a linguistic basis in 1956 the MES has been cropping up the sensitive issue. Initially, the handful taluks' regional outfit was managing to win a few seats by rampant bogus voting in the Assembly polls. Like all wicked deeds getting a logical end over a period of time so is MES now. From 1-2, 3-4 and 5 legislators the party is on the verge of extinction but for the Belagavi City Corporation, its strength has stooped down to a double zero since many a election. However, the Maharashtra State Government has developed heartburn ailments looking at the pathetic predicament of the MES having reduced itself to a fossil substance. Hence, the new drama of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Health Insurance Scheme in 865 villages.

Audacity at its peak: It looks like the subsequent heads of government of Maharashtra are shameless to the core while their audacity remains at its peak. To rejuvenate the non-existent MES, the Maharashtra State Government has gone to the extent of concocting a health insurance scheme which no other state government has ever thought of in the whole country.

I am a Marathi Linguistic Person: To become a beneficiary of this proposed scheme one has to give a sworn declaration that "I am a Marathi Linguistic Person". The outlets to collect these applications have been opened up in the premises belonging to the MES. And that too four centres have been opened up in Belagavi city alone. The Eknath Shindhe-led Shivasena-BJP combine government decided in this regard on 02 March 2023 and issued a notification in April last year.

MES shops sealed: The MES took nine months to deliver the four service centres in Belagavi and gave a fillip by issuing recommending letters to the aspirants. The services are detrimental to the interests of the local and regional interests and were severely resisted by the Belagavi Zilla Kannada Sanghatanegala Kriya Samiti led by Ashok Chandaragi. It was only last Thursday 11 January, that a memorandum was submitted to Nitesh Patil, Deputy Commissioner Belagavi. Thanks to the proactive DC who held discussions with other senior bureaucrats of the state administrative machinery, the four service centres launched by the MES met an inglorious end.

DC's action attracts kudos: The administrative action of Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil has been flooded with accolades from all pro-Kannada organizations, activists and leaders. Shivaraj Patil, President Border Protection Commission, who has preferred not to leave Bengaluru in spite of the border areas being on the boil, has also lauded the Belagavi DC. He has also assured of holding a meeting with the officials at a meeting in Belagavi soon. Hope, he will stick up to his words and act accordingly.

Health benefits to the tune of Rs 01-05 Lakhs: According to the provisions of the proposed health scheme, if any person fills up a declaration form stating that he is a Marathi Linguistic person and email the same to the Maharashtra Chief Minister's office along with the recommendation letter by the MES, one is entitled to health insurance benefits ranging from Rs 01-05 lakhs. Not only that, on receipt of the duly filled application and recommendation letter the Maharashtra Government will also arrange payment of an amount to the beneficiary hospitals in Belagavi.

Demand for Traitor Case: The Belagavi Zilla Kannada Sanghatanegala Kriya Samiti led by Ashok Chandaragi, in its memorandum has also demanded the filing of a Traitor case against the culprits involved in the mess revolving around the opening up of the health insurance scheme outlets. Hope the DC will take cognizance of the demand.

-Manohar Yadavatti