BJP MLC slams state govt on education issues

Mysuru: Former education minister and BJP MLC A H Vishwanath on Monday launched an attack on the state govt and CM Siddaramaiah, accusing the administration of diverting public attention with issues like hijab and religion while ignoring the deterioration of education and the welfare of youth in Karnataka.Addressing reporters, Vishwanath questioned the need to create controversy among students over religious issues. "Did anybody ask for hijab? Why is the govt creating new controversies? Why create Hindu-Muslim divisions among students? This is not fair," he said.Criticising the govt's guarantee schemes, he alleged that prices of essential commodities and liquor increased drastically to compensate for welfare spending. "For guarantees, costs have gone up five times. Liquor prices have increased heavily. The govt gives Rs 2,000 to women, but their spouses are spending more on costly liquor," he claimed.He further claimed that rising liquor prices were indirectly pushing youths towards drug abuse. "Youth who cannot afford alcohol are turning towards ganja, which is available cheaply. Cigarettes and drugs are destroying the strength of the younger generation. What kind of state are you building, Siddaramaiah?" he asked.Vishwanath also accused the govt of neglecting the education sector. He alleged that nearly 16,000 schools were shut down. Referring to an Asian Development Bank loan of Rs 2,000 crore meant for improving school education and teachers' progress, he questioned the govt's priorities. "Akshara and Arogya have been ruined. The school education system has collapsed. The govt should have formed an expert committee to reform the education sector," he said.