With theSupreme Courtset to hear petitions on Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute from Wednesday, the one-upmanship between the two states has escalated, withKarnatakachief minister BasavarajBommaion Tuesday announcing his governments decision to offer special grants to Kannada-medium schools inMaharashtraand pension to Kannadigas in the neighbouring state who fought for unification of the state.
The move comes close on the heels of Maharashtra chief minister Shinde promising pension to freedom fighters from Belagavi and other parts in Karnataka, which are claimed by Maharashtra. Shinde also spoke of extending benefits of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (cashless medical care) for such freedom fighters.
Maharashtra, since its inception in 1960, has been entangled in a dispute with Karnataka over the status of Belgaum (renamed Belagavi) and 80 other Marathi-speaking villages in the southern state.