Don't shelve creation of new taluks: Dharam

Former chief minister and senior Congress leader N Dharam Singh on Thursday urged chief minister Siddaramaiah not to shelve the proposal of creating new taluks just because the decision was taken by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Singh, the MP from Bidar, said that there was a dire need to create new taluks particularly in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region to ensure better administration. Unlike in old Mysore region, the existing taluks in north Karnataka are not only large and unwieldy but also have not been reorganised since independence.

A number of committees have already given their reports on the creation of new taluks. “The present government may make necessary changes to the proposal. If required a new committee may also be constituted to consider the proposals. But, new taluks should be formed,’’ Singh asserted.

He said that although the Jagadish Shettar government had decided to create 43 new taluks due to political considerations, the present government should be prudent in taking a call on it. The government should also look into the financial implications of creating so many taluks.

Expressing his joy over Gulbarga MP Mallikarjun Kharge getting the railway portfolio, Singh said he should take decisions on minor matters on railways concerning Hyderabad-Karnataka region during his short tenure. Kharge should also take a decision on creating a new railway division with Gulbarga as its head quarters, he added.