S M Krishna sincerely strived to reform government: KEA ex-chairman R Raghu

Mysuru: Former chief minister S M Krishna sincerely strived to reform the government and took several steps in this direction, said former chairman of Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) R Raghu (Kautilya).

Raghu, now state president of BJP Backward Classes Morcha, said, Krishna had a vision for the development of tourism in Mysuru and thus shifted the KEA from the Kannada and Culture Ministry to the Tourism Ministry.

“Krishna wished to develop Dasara Exhibition Grounds, to facilitate tourists spending their evening hours there, after visiting the tourist attractions in and around Mysuru. He was not in favour of separate stalls for government departments, during Dasara Exhibition. Thus, a ‘Lead Pavilion’ was set up, to bring information of all departments under one roof. The interactive digital kiosks there had all the information. He took the lead in digitalising RTCs and it was launched at the Lead Pavilion,” Raghu recalled.

Raghu said, he was fortunate to be recognised by Krishna and nominated as chairman of KEA.

He recalled the mega IT Mela, inaugurated by the late President A P J Abdul Kalam, under the leadership of Krishna, at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds, to give impetus to the IT industry in Karnataka.