Will think over allocating developmental funds to MLCs too: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that the Karnataka government was contemplating allocating a portion of the corpus of Rs 8,000 crore for developmental funds to finance projects proposed by members of the Legislative Council.

The CM’s announcement comes against the backdrop of rising demand from the MLCs for a fairer distribution of developmental funds, besides seeking increased engagement by the government in addressing issues raised by the Upper House.

Interacting with journalists after meeting Congress MLCs here, the chief minister said, “We are holding similar consultative meetings with MLAs too. I am planning on meeting Bengaluru city MLAs on Wednesday. A sum of Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked in the State Budget specifically for the developmental projects in Assembly constituencies. In the wake of the MLCs seeking funds to initiate development in their respective constituencies, we will consider the possibility of allocating a portion of the overall funds for them too".

At a recent meeting of the Congress Legislature Party, MLCs had pointed out that development must not be restricted to just Assembly constituencies.

Access to ministers

At the meeting convened on Tuesday, MLCs reportedly expressed frustration over limited access to Cabinet ministers, which, in turn, greatly restricted their ability to draw attention to local issues, and initiate development in their respective constituencies.

Senior Congress MLC B K Hariprasad recommended employing the Anti-Communal Task Force, currently active in Mangaluru, in other parts of the state to maintain peace.

Party symbols in GP polls 

Some MLCs reportedly pressed for the use of party symbols in GP elections, which they said would make the representatives more accountable to voters.

However, the chief minister shot down the proposal, citing the longstanding tradition of non-political representation in villages.