Meetings galore on a Sunday at Soudha

Ministers in the Siddaramaiah government appear to be overzealous about their work.

Excise Minister Satish Jarkiholi and Housing Minister Ambareesh held a review meeting of their respective departments at the Vidhana Soudha on Sunday, much to the surprise of one and all.

Jarkiholi held a meeting with top officials of his department and gathered information on revenue collection, sale of liquor and progress made in closing down illicit liquor manufacturing units in the State.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Excise minister said he was planning to set up a social responsibility fund in the department to take up welfare measures.

The fund will be utilised for the rehabilitation of those who were involved in illicit liquor brewing.

A part of the profit made by Mysore Sales International Limited and the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited will be utilised for the purpose, he said.

There is a need for an image makeover of the Excise department. People have a very bad impression about the department and its style of functioning. Efforts will be made to bring about changes, he said.

Ambareesh held a review meeting of the Housing department for nearly two-and-a-half hours.

He gathered information on the Karnataka Housing Board's on-going projects, availability of funds and future plans in the meeting. He is learnt to have told the officials that the next review meeting will be held on June 3.

Minister for Infrastructure Development Santosh Lad too held a meeting with the officials.