Slain Praveen Nettaru’s wife loses job, as contract recruitments of BJP rule cancelled

Mangaluru: The Congress government in had recently issued an order to cancel all contract recruitments made during the tenure of the former BJP government. Among those directly affected by this decision is Nuthan Kumari, the wife of Praveen Nettaru, who tragically lost his life in an alleged murder involving members of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

Nuthan Kumari was offered employment on compassionate grounds following her husband’s untimely demise in September, 2022, in Dakshina Kannada district. She had been hired on a contractual basis for a “Group C” post and had been serving at the Mangaluru DC’s office since October 13. The initial recruitment order stipulated that her service would be co-terminus with the chief ministership of Basavaraj Bommai or until any new directive was issued concerning her employment.

However, this recent decision by the Congress government has elicited sharp criticism from BJP leaders including Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Responding to these criticisms, the newly-appointed Congress minister, Ramalinga Reddy, defended the government’s actions and accused the BJP of betraying Praveen Nettaru’s wife. Reddy questioned why the previous BJP administration had chosen to employ her on a contractual basis, suggesting that they could have offered her a permanent position during their time in power.

The cancellation of contract recruitments by the Karnataka government has ignited a heated debate between the political factions. While the Congress government maintains that this decision is a necessary course of action, the BJP argues that it undermines their commitment to the welfare of Praveen Nettaru’s family.