'IIT at Muddenahalli in 11th plan'

Speaking to press persons after taking part in a function to mark the birth anniversary of Sir M Visveswaraya here on Sunday, Moily said that the Union Minister of State for Human Resources, Purandeshwari has said that eight Indian Institute of Science will be established during tenth Five Year Plan. But, the proposal to set up the IIT at Muddenahalli is included in the eleventh Five Year Plan. The 10th plan has already completed and the 11th plan has started, he said. Moily was referring to the statement of minister Purandeshwari to the effect that there is no proposal before the government on setting up an Indian Institute of Science in Muddenahalli.

Moily said that Union government has decided to set up Village Courts across the country and first of such courts will be inaugurated at Chikkaballapur on Gandhi Jayanthi Day. It is being planned to get launch the programme by Prime Minister.

Successor in AP

The decision on the successor to Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister who died in a helicopter crash recently, will be taken at “appropriate time.” The choice will be arrived at in consultation with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders. Till such time, Rosaiah will continue as the chief minister, he stated.
Moily divulged that a meeting of legal luminaries and judges has been called at New Delhi on October 23 and 24 to discuss judicial reforms. The changes to be effected in the judiciary will be given a final form at the meeting.

Speaking at a function organised at the samadhi of Sir M Visveswaraya, Moily said that all steps will be taken to develop Muddenahalli on the lines of the birthplaces of Kuvempu, Bendre and Govinda Pai.

Veerappa Moily  assured of taking steps for construction of a ring road from National Highway 7 connecting Chikkaballapur.

“A sum of Rs 55 crore was released for the development of Mysore sandal oil industries during my tenure as chief minister. The attempts to privatise Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Limited in Bhadravathi,” Moily claimed.

Political will

Legislator K P Bachegowda, who spoke on the occasion attributed lack of political will for failure to develop the birthplace of Sir M Visvesvaraya. The personality who is known across the globe for his typical contributions is neglected at his birthplace, he lamented.
Zilla Panchayat vice-president Chenuduru Venkatesh, Taluk Panchayat president Nalina Veeregowda, Zilla Panchayat member Narayanaswamy, Deputy Commissioner Anwar Pasha, ZP Chief Executive Officer Krishnappa, Superintendent of Police Ravindra Prasad and others were present on the occasion.

Protest staged

Meanwhile, activists of Kannada Sene staged a dharna demanding development of the birth place of Sir M Visveswaraya. Both the Union and State governments have neglected the birth place of a personality whose engineering acumen provided livelihood for crores of people.

 They alleged that the  native place of such a great personality is bereft of basic amenities, they alleged. The public representatives have so far given only assurances only to be reneged later. A statewide stir will be launched if the same situation continues, they warned.

The protesters later submitted a memorandum to the Union Law Minister, Veerappa Moily.

DH News Service