Convention of local bodies on Aug 12

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, he said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, ministers, Presidents and Vice-Presidents of 44 CMCs, 94 TMCs and 68 Town Panchayats will take part.

Minister for Local Administration Balachandra Jarakiholi will inaugurate the convention. Minister for Urban Development Suresh Kumar will be the chief guest. The valedictory of the convention will be attended by CM.

He said eight committees have been constituted under the presidentship of CMC President Dinaker Shetty to look into the arrangements for the convention.

Dr Acharya said the financial position of the State is stable and sound. In fact, even the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister have lauded our financial position.

He said “We have good revenue and the state’s fiscal deficit is 3.25 per cent. There is improvement in the state’s GDP rate. However, he declined the demand of former minister Revanna for issuing white paper on the state’s financial condition.”

To a query on Naxal week celebrations announced by the Naxals and  Naxal pamphlets found at Madamakki region of Kundapur taluk, Dr Acharya said “we have made elaborate arrangements to avoid any untoward incidents.  Police are alert and combing operations are being undertaken by the police.”

He said about Rs one thousand crore is pending to be paid for contractors under plan and non plan programmes. Measures will be taken to sort out the pending amount by September.

About 80 lakh families were benefited under the food security programme announced by the State government, he informed.  A book compiled and published by the District Information Department on development works in Udupi district was released on the occasion.

MLA Raghupathy Bhat, DC Hemalatha, CMC President Dinaker Shetty and others were present.