Denotification taint clouds Shettar celebration

CM ducks query on whether hell allow BSY to dictate terms

Jagadish Shettar faced an embarrassing situation soon after taking oath as chief minister on Thursday, when he was asked to comment on a private complaint filed against him in the Lokayukta Court, alleging illegalities in a land denotification case.

He, however, termed the complaint false and said he was not worried about it.

“It is a false case. I will take legal action,” he said at his maiden press conference as chief minister.

It is alleged that Shettar denotified 178 acres land in 2006 against the rule book and caused a loss of about Rs 250 crore to the exchequer. He was the revenue minister then.

When he was asked whether he would be under Yeddyurappa’s control, he said, “I don’t think there is any need to discuss about it.”

On not giving representation to about seven districts, Shettar said district in-charge ministers would be appointed soon and they would ensure proper development.

Asked about the Maharashtra Assembly adopting a resolution demanding that Belgaum should be declared a union territory, he said it was a closed chapter.

“Belgaum belongs to the State and the matter has ended long ago,” he stated.

He said Marathis and Kannadigas in Belgaum were living in harmony. “Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka are safe and they have no fear in their minds,” Shettar said. He said he would give priority to remove regional imbalances and ensure equitable development of all regions.

Hours after he was sworn in as chief minister, Shettar convened a meeting of all principal secretaries and secretaries and directed them to focus on improving grassroots-level administration.

Flanked by his two deputies and all cabinet colleagues, Shettar said reforms in administration should start at the offices of the tahsildar, assistant commissioner and deputy commissioner. “It is your responsibility to ensure that grassroots level administration improves. Reform measures will automatically follow,” he said.

He directed the officers to ensure that all the government programmes reached the people. “If there are any problems, you can approach me or the chief secretary,” Shettar said.

The chief minister pointed out that there was lack of coordination among certain departments when it came to implementing joint programmes.

He urged the officers to shun the tendency of marking queries, if avoidable, on files.

“Queries tend to pile up files. If you need any clarification while clearing files received from the jurisdictional offices, call the officer concerned and settle the matter,” Shettar said.

Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka called for setting up of coordination committees at the taluk level to monitor implementation of drought relief works.