Right to Services Act landmark: Bhardwaj

Change in leadership has not affected development work, says Bhardwaj

Governor H R Bhardwaj has commended the D V Sadananda Gowda government for pursuing the development agenda despite a change in the political leadership the State witnessed following the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as chief minister last year.

In his 30-page speech addressing the joint legislature session on Monday, the Governor was silent on controversial issues such as appointment of Lokayukta and acting on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, lapses in implementing relief works and allegations of corruption in the government.

He extolled the government saying it has made rapid strides in improving governance and implementing development and people-friendly schemes. He said the Right to Services Act will be enforced from March 1 in the State in a phased manner.

He listed the achievements of the government in almost all sectors. The Governor appreciated the government for maintaining law and order, providing relief to drought-affected people quickly, improving public health and implementing infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion in Bangalore.

He hailed the Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act as a ‘landmark’ legislation and said that it would go a long way in ensuring timely delivery of services to citizens. The State economy has maintained a healthy growth despite a slowdown in the global economy, he added. Besides, Shimoga and Gulbarga airports will be operational by July, he added.

He blamed the Centre for  the delay in taking up new power generation projects in the State. "It is unfortunate that new projects for power generation have not fructified due to inordinate delays in environmental clearance and allotment of coal linkages," he said.

Highlights

* Right to Services Act to be enforced from March 1 in a phased manner

* Gulbarga and Shimoga airports to become operational by July

* Urban Property Ownership Records project to be extended to all towns, including
Bangalore

* Bengaluru International Airport to be expanded to handle up to 17.5 million passengers a year

* KRDCL to improve 1,191 km of State Highway under the Toll Collection Fund

* State has responded quickly to provide relief to those affected by drought

* State purchasing power to meet the increasing demand