BJP to raise North Karnataka issues in Session: Shettar

Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar stated that the BJP would raise issues related to North Karnataka region, in the ongoing winter session of the Legislative Assembly in Belagavi, from December 18 (Tuesday).

"Rs 20,000 crore is spent for the development of backward taluks, as per the recommendations of Dr Nanjundappa Committee, but proper evaluation of its impact is not yet done. Implementation of Article 371(J) in Hyderabad-Karnataka region is also not reviewed, as around 30,000 posts are still vacant in that region," he said.

Attending a blood donation camp organised by the BJP Yuva Morcha, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday, at Rashtotthana Blood Bank in Hubballi on Monday, Shettar told media persons that the government has not yet implemented its decision to shift some offices to the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi.

North Karnataka is never a priority for Congress and JD(S) in development, political representation and other issues, while Basavaraj Horatti of JD(S) and S R Patil of Congress not getting the post of Legislative Council chairman is an indication for that, he opined.

When asked about the local area development (LAD) fund sanctioned for many legislators from the North Karnataka region remaining unspent, Shettar stated that it due to the delay in the government procedures. "Sometimes, works would be on, issuing work completion certificates would get delayed, or there would be delay in sending information to the government," he said.

On loan waiver

Though the issues of farm loan waiver and drought were discussed in the Assembly last week, the government has not yet given its answer. The government is not taking such issues, which need urgent solution, seriously, and is running Belagavi session just for the namesake, Shettar charged.

Kumaraswamy assured waiver of Rs 46,000 crore loans of farmers, but only Rs 50 crore loan of around 1,000 farmers in two taluks is waived off. By telling mere lies, he wants to skip his assurance, as he could not fulfill that even if he remains in power for the full term, he said.

Congress governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh also could not fulfill their assurance of farm loan waiver, he noted, adding that the coalition government in Karnataka would fall when the Cabinet would be expanded.

Shettar also clarified that the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project in the twin cities would be inaugurated only after all works are completed.