Plea against MLAs' foreign trip

A petition has been filed in the High Court of Karnataka seeking directions to stop a proposed foreign trip by the legislators, in the face of severe drought in the State.

The petition filed by Neelakantappa, a resident of Tarikere taluk in Chikmagalur district, has contended that the elected representatives, including Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, are undertaking the trip as a study tour.

The petitioner said that several taluks in the State were in the grip of severe drought and the State should give importance to help the farmers. The petitioner further contended that the money being spent on the trip could be used for development purposes.

Pujas for rain

Neelakantappa has filed another complaint is the High Court, seeking directions to stop the pujas being conducted in 34,226 muzrai temples, sanctioned by the State government. The government recently issued a circular directing the temples to perform special poojas on July 27 and August 2.

The cost of this extravagance is Rs 17.11 crore in all, as each temple may have to spend up to Rs 5,000 for the special pooja. Neelakantappa contended that the reason for lack of rain was scientific in nature and the government could not run on superstition. Stating that the money being spent on the pujas were an unnecessary expense, he sought directions to stay the move.

Though Neelakantappa moved a memo seeking immediate hearing of the case, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar questioned the motive of Neelakantappa who has already filed three PILs.