Pralhad Joshi asks Karnataka government to release 'pending grants' to HDMC

Hubballi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday urged the Congress government in Karnataka to release more than Rs 300 crore 'pending grants' to the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), also charging that the government is showing a step-motherly attitude towards municipal corporations in Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi where the BJP is in power.

"As per the information given by senior corporators, the state government has to provide Rs 303 crore to the HDMC. The corporation is trying to increase revenue from its own sources. But, if the government releases pending funds, more pro-people works can be taken up. As heavy rains were received this time, road development works can be taken up in a big way after August-September," he said.

Stating that Karnataka government used to provide funds for employees' salary and pension after the abolition of octroi, Joshi said, the government has stopped that now, and the civic body itself has to bear the cost. The HDMC should spend for Indira Canteens also and the construction of the new council hall complex also is halted, he said.

Though NDA government has given much more funds in grant-in-aid, tax devolution and infrastructure development to the state compared to the UPA region, Congress government here has gone bankrupt. Congress MLAs themselves are speaking about shortage of funds, but Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is not reacting, he criticised, adding that Home Minister G Parameshwara also has faith in the Centre regarding finances.

"We are spending more money for works as the economy is good, transparent administration is being given, funds are given to more works, the prime minister is ready to give more funds," he said, adding that corruption is in the DNA of the Congress.

BJP chief

When asked about the change in leadership in the State BJP, Joshi said BJP has democracy, and (unlike Congress) anybody from a dynasty or somebody recommended by a dynasty need not be the president of state or central BJP.

Discussions from all angles are being held. National BJP president J P Nadda has said BJP presidents in states would be appointed soon, Joshi added. Discussion about him (Joshi) becoming the national BJP president is irrelevant, he noted.