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Udupi, Nov. 20: The money collected in cess is only for the construction workers, in the transport sector. But workers in the unorganized sector including tailors, labourers, weavers, hotel workers are not getting any benefit. Labor Department Minister Santosh Lad said that the government is thinking of bringing a universal card to provide security to all unorganized workers.

Speaking to the media in Udupi, he said that the government has not cut the student stipend of workers’ children. The previous government suddenly raised the scholarship from Rs. 2000 to Rs.8000. Those who getting Rs 10000,increased to Rs. 30,000 and from Rs. 30 thousand to Rs. One lakh.  He clarified that this increase was unscientific and there were no scientific reasons for it.

In the last three years, the number of cards has increased to 46 lakh from 39 lakh cards. A single district like Haveri has three lakh cards. There are many fake cards in it. This time, 13 lakh applications have been received for the scholarship. After checking all the applications, we have given scholarship to 9 lakh children. He said that all of them will be given scientific scholarship on the model of Social Welfare Department.

This time the Modi government will not come at the centre. There are many reasons why Modi government is not coming. I am ready for an open discussion with the BJP leaders. Minister Santhosh Lad challenged that there is a need to leave aside the controversies and keep the issue of development.

I am ready to discuss various development issues including demonetisation, GDP, dollar, smart city, bullet train. From 2004 to 2014, our GDP was 183 percent, but in the last 9 years it was only 83 percent. Discussions need to be held keeping in mind the technical and statistical issues, whether terrorism has not happened after demonetisation. Didn’t the Pulwama attack happen? Where did the 300kg RDX come from? He said that there should be discussions about this.

Many people from Dharwad district are ready to join Congress. I will not reveal the name right now. Four or five leaders are keen to join the Congress. There are also former ministers among them.