<p>Belagavi: Women & Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Friday refuted claims that AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala conducted an official review meeting with government officials.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Hebbalkar clarified that Surjewala only held meetings with ministers to discuss the implementation of government programmes and that it should not be misconstrued as a formal review.</p><p>“Surjewala collected information about pro-people programmes, which is routinely done every three months by the in-charge secretaries. It is not a review meeting in the administrative sense,” she explained.</p><p>Her comments came in response to Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna’s statement that Surjewala held review meetings with officials. </p><p>In response to Rajanna’s remark that a political “revolution” could take place in the state in September, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said that the party strictly follows the directives of the high command. “Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have already provided clarity on the matter,” she added.</p><p><strong>‘No politics over Mahadayi’</strong></p><p>On the contentious Mahadayi project, Hebbalkar asserted that the state government was not indulging in politics. “We want water to meet drinking water needs, not for irrigation. BJP leaders had claimed during the Lok Sabha polls that the Centre and Goa had given the green light to the project. They even distributed sweets. But now, no one is talking about it,” she said.</p><p>She criticised Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s recent comments, calling them ‘unacceptable’. Emphasising the interconnectedness of the two states, Hebbalkar said, “Karnataka and Goa are inseparable. Goa depends on Karnataka for healthcare and trade. Many Goans travel to Karnataka for services. If tourists stop visiting Goa, the state cannot sustain itself.”</p><p>Condemning attacks on Kannadigas in Goa, she urged the Goa government to intervene instead of remaining silent. She added that the issue would be brought to the notice of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, who also serves as the Karnataka-Goa border in-charge.</p><p>Referring to the upcoming elections to the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank (BDCC), Hebbalkar noted that it is the second-largest cooperative bank in the state after the Apex Bank. </p><p>“Consultations will be held with PWD and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Prabhakar Kore before deciding the next steps. My brother and MLC Channaraj Hattiholi will take an independent decision on whether to contest or not,” she said.</p><p>Hebbalkar also revealed her foray into the film industry. Under her banner Aira Productions, two films are currently in production.</p>
<p>Belagavi: Women & Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Friday refuted claims that AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala conducted an official review meeting with government officials.</p><p>Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Hebbalkar clarified that Surjewala only held meetings with ministers to discuss the implementation of government programmes and that it should not be misconstrued as a formal review.</p><p>“Surjewala collected information about pro-people programmes, which is routinely done every three months by the in-charge secretaries. It is not a review meeting in the administrative sense,” she explained.</p><p>Her comments came in response to Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna’s statement that Surjewala held review meetings with officials. </p><p>In response to Rajanna’s remark that a political “revolution” could take place in the state in September, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said that the party strictly follows the directives of the high command. “Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have already provided clarity on the matter,” she added.</p><p><strong>‘No politics over Mahadayi’</strong></p><p>On the contentious Mahadayi project, Hebbalkar asserted that the state government was not indulging in politics. “We want water to meet drinking water needs, not for irrigation. BJP leaders had claimed during the Lok Sabha polls that the Centre and Goa had given the green light to the project. They even distributed sweets. But now, no one is talking about it,” she said.</p><p>She criticised Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s recent comments, calling them ‘unacceptable’. Emphasising the interconnectedness of the two states, Hebbalkar said, “Karnataka and Goa are inseparable. Goa depends on Karnataka for healthcare and trade. Many Goans travel to Karnataka for services. If tourists stop visiting Goa, the state cannot sustain itself.”</p><p>Condemning attacks on Kannadigas in Goa, she urged the Goa government to intervene instead of remaining silent. She added that the issue would be brought to the notice of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, who also serves as the Karnataka-Goa border in-charge.</p><p>Referring to the upcoming elections to the Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank (BDCC), Hebbalkar noted that it is the second-largest cooperative bank in the state after the Apex Bank. </p><p>“Consultations will be held with PWD and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Prabhakar Kore before deciding the next steps. My brother and MLC Channaraj Hattiholi will take an independent decision on whether to contest or not,” she said.</p><p>Hebbalkar also revealed her foray into the film industry. Under her banner Aira Productions, two films are currently in production.</p>
