Mudslinging dominates session on rural issues

In the legislature

Only one ‘scam’ which was raised was the imported coal purchase, by the JD(S). And as far as the rural development and agriculture, hardly any suggestions of the Opposition members were taken into consideration while the government made a reply. The CM came out with 36 programmes. But no budgetary allocation was indicated for any of the programme he announced.

The JD(S), on Wednesday, wanted a discussion on the alleged coal purchase ‘scam,’ a case already disposed of in the High Court. Also, the party did not get the support of the principal Opposition Congress.

The Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah along with party members even staged a dharna in the well of the House demanding Speaker Jagadish Shettar to allow discussion on drought, and shelve the coal ‘scam’. “Scams can come later, drought should be discussed on priority,” he stated. Members of the two Opposition parties indulged in war of words over the stalemate, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for some time.

In the afternoon, the ruling party members raised the issue of the alleged derogatory statement by former C M Kumaraswamy on Yeddyurappa.

When it comes to discussion on the rural development, the Opposition members vied with each other in making lengthy speech on the subject, though most of their suggestions were almost similar. And finally CM Yeddyurappa gave his own reply, without incorporating any of those suggestions.

Over and above, the CM has neither fixed deadlines for either starting or completion of any the programmes announced for rural development nor has he spelt out how he would mobilise resources to implement them. Both the Assembly and the Council were adjourned sine die amidst noisy scenes.

DH News Service