Revanna demands world heritage site tag for Belur, Halebid

Former minister and JD (S) MLA H D Revanna on Saturday sought the inclusion of historical Belur and Halebid in the list of heritage sites.

Speaking to reporters after taking part in the ‘Brahmarathotsava’ of Chennakeshava Swami here, Revanna said when he was minister, he had taken measures to include the historical towns in the list of heritage sites but now no minister was showing interest to pursue the matter.

Revanna said that during the tenure of H D Deve Gowda as prime minister, Hassan-Belur-Chikkamagaluru-Sringeri train route was sanctioned but due to some reasons, it was dropped. He said there was a proposal for a ropeway in Shravanabelagola but due to technical reasons, it did not materialise.

Revanna said that the fact that the state was reeling under severe drought did not deter ministers and national party leaders from campaigning for bypolls in Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly constituencies. He blamed them for not taking measures to address the drought situation.

Revanna said Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra has failed to resolve the problems of people in the district. “Though various parts of the district are reeling under severe drought, the DC has failed to take measures to provide drinking water and fodder for cattle. The DC should visit Kolar, Tumakuru and Chikkaballapur to assess how the district administrations are addressing the issues. The district administrations have taken measures to cultivate fodder on 15,000 hectares of land in these districts,” he said.

When asked about the candidate for Belur Assembly constituency in the upcoming poll in 2018, Revanna said, Deve Gowda and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy would decide on it.

In reply to a query on his son Prajwal Revanna’s entry into politics, Revanna said, Prajwal declined to contest the ZP elections which was held in 2016 thus Bhavani Revanna had to contest. “This is not Uttar Pradesh (in reference to the dynasty politics of Samajwadi Party). Even if I don’t get a ticket, I will work for the party as a worker. We want the party to win to serve the people,” Revanna said.