North Karnataka issues to be in focus in Belagavi session, says Speaker

Mangaluru: The upcoming assembly session at Suvarna Soudha, Belagavi to be held from December 9 to 19 will be prioritized to discuss the issues of North Karnataka, said assembly Speaker U T Khader. “However, issues of other regions will also be discussed."

Speaking to reporters at Circuit House in Mangaluru on Thursday, he stated that a meeting of the business advisory committee has been held in the presence of the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition and others to ensure fruitful discussions.

“It was decided to conduct the session from December 9 to 20. However, it was later decided to limit the session till December 19 as All India Kannada Literary Convention will begin on December 20 in Mandya," he said.

To a query, Khader said discussions will be allowed as per the rules.

“As a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, I have been making use of opportunities to attend various conferences overseas”, he further said. The speaker meanwhile said he will attend the International Peace Conference in Vatican and is happy to take part as a representative of Mangaluru constituency and as a speaker of the assembly.

To another query, he said government grants will not come by itself. The MLAs should follow up with the authorities concerned instead of sitting in their constituency and grumbling about non-receipt of grants.

In response to the drowning of three students in a resort in Ullal, he said the DC has been directed to ensure safety precautions in the resorts.

‘Sand mining is a social problem’

To a query, Speaker U T Khader said mining is not restricted to Pavoor-Uliya. It is a social menace. A committee has been formed to conduct a survey in Pavoor-Uliya island.

He meanwhile stated that the Sand Bazar app was implemented during his term as the district in-charge minister. However, it was later discontinued following the change in the government.