<p> He also reminded the State Government that it was the constitutional duty of every government to take stern action against forces which disturb communal harmony.<br /><br />In his Republic Day address after hoisting the National Flag at the Manekshaw parade grounds here on Tuesday, the Governor said that as Head of the State, he assures “every Kannadiga - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain or others are secure in this land and their life, faith and property will be protected.”<br /><br />Taking a dig at attempts to curtail the role of the Chancellor in administration of universities, Bhardwaj said that the trend does not augur well for higher education. <br />Stressing the need to tackle the regional imbalance in the State he said that the Government should encourage investors set up industries in the backward areas. Observing that shortage of power had been a major impediment, he said, he would impress upon the Union government to allot higher share of power to the State whenever possible.<br /><br />He said the Government had taken steps to develop airports in Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Hassan. <br /><br />Besides, under Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP-II) the government had taken up development of 826 kms of road with World Bank assistance. Referring to relief works in flood-hit North Karnataka, the Governor opined that there was a need for galvanising the administrative machinery to address the misery of the victims, he added.<br /><br />On Bangalore city, the Governor pointed out that the City’s growth had been facing many challenges - law and order, traffic management and housing. He hoped that BBMP elections would be held as scheduled.</p>
<p> He also reminded the State Government that it was the constitutional duty of every government to take stern action against forces which disturb communal harmony.<br /><br />In his Republic Day address after hoisting the National Flag at the Manekshaw parade grounds here on Tuesday, the Governor said that as Head of the State, he assures “every Kannadiga - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain or others are secure in this land and their life, faith and property will be protected.”<br /><br />Taking a dig at attempts to curtail the role of the Chancellor in administration of universities, Bhardwaj said that the trend does not augur well for higher education. <br />Stressing the need to tackle the regional imbalance in the State he said that the Government should encourage investors set up industries in the backward areas. Observing that shortage of power had been a major impediment, he said, he would impress upon the Union government to allot higher share of power to the State whenever possible.<br /><br />He said the Government had taken steps to develop airports in Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Hassan. <br /><br />Besides, under Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP-II) the government had taken up development of 826 kms of road with World Bank assistance. Referring to relief works in flood-hit North Karnataka, the Governor opined that there was a need for galvanising the administrative machinery to address the misery of the victims, he added.<br /><br />On Bangalore city, the Governor pointed out that the City’s growth had been facing many challenges - law and order, traffic management and housing. He hoped that BBMP elections would be held as scheduled.</p>
