Prasad's inaction hindering development: MP

'Even though CM hails from dist, he cannot be blamed'

Developmental activities in Mysore district had been hindered by the inaction of Revenue and district-in-charge minister, V Sreenivas Prasad, said Mysore-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha, here on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media following a Janata Darshana programme in the city, he said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hailed from the district could not be held responsible for the slow pace of development in the district.

“Even though he hails from the district, he has to look into the affairs of the entire State. However, inaction by the district-in-charge minister is the main reason for the lack of developmental activities in Mysore city and the district,” he said.

He said that mere meetings with officials would not address the issues of the district.

“The minister must take officials into confidence and set targets for them. The inaction of the minister was displayed during Dasara celebrations in the city.
Even though a large number of people had visited the city, adequate arrangements were not made for people who came to watch the procession,” he said.

Sand mafia

He alleged that the Congress-led State government was involved in sand mafia, which was more profitable than the mining mafia, which had caused a stir during BJP rule in the State, he said. “As a result, artificial scarcity has been created for sand. The State government should take measures to curb the same,” he said.
  Airport expansion

Speaking on the expansion of Mysore Airport at Mandakalli, he said that the Centre would take measures for the expansion, if the State government completed land acquisition for the same.

He said that the alignment of NH-212 was a major road block for the expansion of the airport. NH-212 should be re-aligned to facilitate the expansion of runway, he said.

Re-alignment, he said, would cost Rs 167 crore, in addition to the cost of land acquisition. “PWD minister Dr H C Mahadevappa has assured that necessary action would be taken for expansion of the runway. As soon as the responsibilities of the State government is fulfilled, the Centre will take up works for expansion of the airport,” he added.

Underpass

Commenting on the proposal of constructing an underpass near the Airport, he said that the Centre was unlikely to approve the proposal, as it would pose a threat to the safety of the Airport.