?The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday staged protests against Karnataka ?Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh's statement that if buffaloes can be slaughtered, why not cows. BJP leader and Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Sonia Gandhi should speak on the issue. He was responding to a related question at a BJP press conference where he highlighted the Modi government's achievements.

"Do they (Congress) want their government to start its tenure with cow slaughter," Rupala said, asking Kharge and Gandhi to clarify their stand.

Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh has said that his government might revisit the state's anti-cow-slaughter law. Asked about it, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said the Cabinet would discuss the matter.

Once the ruling party in the state takes a final stand, the central government will take cognisance of the issue, Rupala said, adding that the development has brought to the fore the mindset of the Congress.

Lauding the central government's initiatives in the sector he is overseeing, the minister said the entire expenditure on fisheries from Independence to 2014 was Rs 3,860 crore, but one scheme alone, the 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana', has a budget of Rs 20,500 crore and an additional fund of Rs 8,000 crore has been created to fill in the infrastructure gap to boost the industry along India's coastline.

He noted that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who showed the foresight and courage to create a separate ministry for this. Animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries are the backbone of the rural economy, Rupala added.

The central government also launched mobile veterinary units and supported states by funding 60 per cent of recurring costs, he said, lauding the dispensation for its nationwide vaccination programme for bovines that helped remove many diseases.

The country is also proud of the government's decision to send money to panchayats directly and transparently, the Union minister said.

What is the Gruha Jyoti Scheme?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said tenants are also eligible to avail of the ‘Gruha Jyoti’ scheme, under which 200 units of free power will be provided to all domestic consumers in the state from July 1.

The clarification comes a day after the Congress government had issued guidelines to avail the free electricity under the scheme.

“We will provide free power (up to 200 units) to those living in rented accommodation as well. Poor people who consume less than 200 units of power will not have to pay the bills. This (scheme) will be applicable to the tenants,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

He also clarified that this scheme was not applicable for commercial usage.

The 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme was one of the 5 guarantees promised by the Congress ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.

Reacting to BJP's protest against the power tariff hike as well as the state government’s decision to revisit the anti-cow slaughter law enacted by the then Yediyurappa government, Siddaramaiah sought to know what moral right the saffron party has to protest.

The Chief Minister accused the BJP of 'plundering' the state when in power and bringing a bad name to the state.

“The BJP leaders are protesting because they have nothing else to do. What moral rights do they have?” he asked.

According to Siddaramaiah, the BJP did not fulfill any of its election promises such as 10 hours free power, waiving farm loans and spending Rs 1.5 lakh crore on irrigation.

Charging the BJP with finding fault with the pro-people measures, the CM said, “These people (BJP) are anti-people party. They looted and indulged in bribery when they were in power, brought a bad name to the state and then left. What to say when they come to preach us?”

Meanwhile, the BJP’s protest against the hike in power tariff by Rs 2.89 per unit and state Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh’s remark over the anti-cow slaughter law, entered the second day.

Protests took place in different parts of the state including Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Davangere.

(With PTI inputs)