Guv allays Jagadish Shettar's fears

Even as BJP is steadily losing its strength in the state assembly, chief minister Jagadish Shettar heaved a sigh of relief, with governor HR Bhardwaj on Monday stating he would not ask Shettar to prove his majority in the state assembly. The Governor’s statement comes in the backdrop of growing demand from the opposition for Shettar to quit and face the election.

With the budget having been presented, election process for Urban Local Bodies (ULB) under way and the assembly polls round the corner, Bhardwaj made it clear that he would not interfere in the developments related to resignation of BJP MLAs and ministers.

He added said there was no constitutional crisis in the state and he was not bothered as to which MLA jumps to which party. The government continues to have the majority, with resignation of some of the MLAs not being accepted. The need for asking the chief minister to prove the majority does not arise as the assembly election is fast approaching, he said.

He refused to comment on the proceedings within the BJP government. “People are watching all the developments keenly. The survival or fall of the government is not in my hands. People will decide it in the next election,” the governor said.

No dissolution of assembly
Meanwhile deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa ruled out the possibility of the BJP government recommending the dissolution of state assembly in the light of exodus of party MLAs.

“There is no question of dissolution of state assembly. CM Jagadish Shettar will complete his term. There is no basis for the rumours that are being spread about dissolution of state assembly,” Eshwarappa said.

Later in the evening, the issue was discussed in the state cabinet too, where Shettar reportedly asserted that he had no plans of recommending dissolution of state assembly.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar inaugurates KR Market subway

BANGALORE: The new pedestrian subway at the Krishna Rajendra (KR) Market was inaugurated on Monday by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

The pedestrian subway, linking N R Road, Avenue Road, KR Road and Kalasipalya Road, has been constructed at a total cost of Rs six crore. Maruthi Constructions Private Limited Agency has executed the project. While the total length of the subway is 128 meters, its height is 3.3 meters.

For Devi A N, an employee in a private software company near KR Market, the new structure is a huge relief. She said: “Crossing the road, especially at N R Road, was a big headache. It took almost 15 to 20 minutes to reach the bus stop and go to the neighbouring roads. With this subway, we can now reach safely, without hassles.”

On the sidelines of the inauguration of the subway, Shettar said: “The market, which attracts a large number of people from in and around the City, needed this subway. I have directed Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy and BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah to maintain all subways in the City properly.”

A BBMP official said that the project that started in 2006 got delayed as there was massive sewage pipe obstruction and shifting it took a lot of time. Besides helping pedestrians, the elderly people and those who want to reach nearby government hospitals such as Victoria Hospital, Minto Hospital, Vani Vilas Maternity and Children’s Hospital can do so easily through the subway.

Shettar also dedicated to the public, the Dorekere Lake near Uttarahalli, which has been revived at a cost of about Rs 6.5 crore. The lake rejuvenation has been going on for the last three years. Sewage was eating up the historic lake, which was constructed by the founder of Bangalore, Kempegowda.

The?Palike has set up a sewage treatment plant on its banks. The treated water is not only filling the water body to the brim, it is also helping irrigate the plantations in and around Uttarahalli.

Shettar inaugurates 250 projects in 4 hours

MANGALORE:Chief Minster Jagadish Shettar landed in Mangalore at 10.30 a.m. on Monday, and before his take off at 3 p.m., he cut ribbons for nearly 250 projects. Of the projects inaugurated, one included an unfinished running-behind-the-schedule synthetic track in Mangala Stadium.

He also “inaugurated” the biogas power generation plant in Urwa Market, functioning since February 2012; Fire Station in Pandeshwar, functioning for the last six months; and Heritage Village in Pilikula, functioning for nearly two years.

The Election Commission of India has indicated that the elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly may be announced shortly. Previous elections were held in May 2008.

The 160 cubic meter biogas produced at the biomethantion plant in Urwa Market was being used as a fuel for the generator that has been producing 240 units of power every day. This power is being used to light up the Urwa Market area since November 2012.

The 400-meter synthetic track at the Mangala Stadium is expected to be completed only by May. President of Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association Secretary Arun V. Rao said several portions of the track continued to be uneven. One part of the track has come up over a drain. “Athletes will have the risk of injury running on uneven surface. Still lot of work needs to be done to get the necessary recognition from the national body,” Mr. Rao said. But that did not prevent Mr. Shettar and his colleagues from jogging on the tracks after inaugurating it.

He also laid foundation stone for a new building for Government First Grade College for Women, Balmatta, which is now running from a school premises for more than five years.

Missing inauguration

The one project that officials were awaiting for was conspicuously missing from the ribbon-cutting list. That is the three-storied Lokayukta police office in Urwa Store — ready since November last year. “It will take a few more days to inaugurate it,” Additional Director General of Police (Lokayukta) Satyanarayana Rao told The Hindu from Bangalore. The Dakshina Kannada Lokayukta Police has been functioning in a crammed office located within the premises of the office of Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner.

Road projects

Mr. Shettar’s programmes started with the inauguration of pending work related to widening the 6-km-long stretch between Karnataka Polytechnic Junction and Maravoor Bridge, near the Mangalore Airport.

He also launched projects related to 125 roads being taken up at a cost of Rs. 8 crore out of special grants given to MLA Krishna Palemar.

He launched 110 road projects taken up in the area coming under Deputy Speaker and MLA N. Yogish Bhat. No clear details were made to the media about the road works.

Mr. Shettar also inaugurated projects related to 3-D planetarium that is proposed at Pilikula Nisargadhama. The events were grouped and held at four venues.

19 March, 2013

Be independent decision makers, says Shettar

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Friday urged the women elected representatives to be independent and not allow their husbands or children to take decisions on their behalf.

The CM was speaking at Kittur Rani Chennamma award ceremony organised by the Department of Women and Child Welfare on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

He said the women reservation quota was increased from 33 per cent to 50 per cent in taluk panchayat, zilla panchayat and urban local bodies.

“Women reservation means they should participate in administrative and development works. Do not allow your husband or children to use your powers. You should actively participate give instructions to officials and participate in discussions related to your village and the city,” the CM urged.

He said at present, the population of the state is 6.11 crore, of which 3 crore are women.

“The present sex ratio of men to women is 1,000:998 which means female feticide exists. We need to stop it,” he said.

Goonda Act will be invoked: CM

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the police had arrested all the three accused in the rape case of 17-year-old college girl in Raibag taluk. “I have directed the police to invoke Goonda Act against them,” he said.

Awardees

*INSTITUTIONS: Sandeep Seva Nilayam Samsthe (Bangalore), Akkamahadevi Samaja (Davangere), Vikasa Samsthe (Dharwad), Bits Computer Shikshana Samsthe (Gadag) and Al-Falha Mahila Mandali (Gulbarga)

*INDIVIDUALS: Suryakala Murthy (Bangalore), Narasamma (Tumkur), Mokshadayini (Chitradurga), Rani Chandrashekar (Mandya), Susheelakka Shankara Gouda Patil (Haveri) and Chinnamma (Raichur)

*ART: Kavyashri Krishna (Hassan), Roopa Srikrishna Upadhya (Coorg), Navarathna Indukumar (Chikmagalur), Omkaramma (Bellary), P Bhramaramna Maheshwari (Mysore) and Radhika Chincholi (Bangalore)

*LITERATURE: Ratna Halappa Gowda (Mysore), Neelaganda Siddharamaiah Charanthimath (Belgaum) and Snehalatha Joshi (Koppal)

*SPORTS: Geetha Bai (South Canara) and Renuka H Pujar (Bagalkot)

*BRAVERY: R Rathna (Bangalore)

9 March, 2013

Cauvery award notification: enforcement to take time

The gazette notification of the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) by the Union government, despite the plea of an all-party delegation from Karnataka two days ago, has come as a rude shock to the State government and efforts are on to salvage some pride with the request for a favourable intervention from the Centre.

Informed sources here told The Hindu that there is no clear cut mechanism that has been finalised to regulate the water flow and to abide by the directions of the CWDT issued on February 5, 2007. It is another matter that the final award, following the gazette notification by the Centre, enjoys all the power as that of an order pronounced by the Supreme Court.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has made yet another representation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday that the implementation and enforcement mechanism should be finalised only after all the civil appeals pertaining to the final award of the CWDT.

Interestingly, the notification issued on Tuesday does not spell out the mechanism, although the final award makes specific mention on the constitution of a Cauvery Management Board and a Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. Both the board and the regulation committee are expected to function under the direct charge of the Central Water Commission although they will comprise of representatives of all the four riparian States — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Puducherry.

It should be noted that under Section 6 (A) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act of 1956, the Union government has to frame a scheme or schemes to give effect to the decision of a tribunal, and under each scheme an authority has to be also established largely aimed at the implementation of the award of a tribunal. Another added feature is that the constitution of such an authority and the schemes that it will oversee will have to be formulated through an Act of Parliament. It is in this sense that the ball is back in the court of the Union government and in particular the Prime Minister.

‘TO BE DELAYED’
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar told The Hindu that under the circumstances, “Karnataka is of the view that the constitution of the board will necessarily have to be delayed”. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured that the State government will be kept informed since we had urged that the final award should not be notified at the present juncture. “In the interregnum, the Cauvery River Authority and the Cauvery Monitoring Committee should continue to function as they have been in the past, particulary in the years of distress”.

Mr. Jagadish Shettar said the final award has been notified obviously due to the order of the Supreme Court wherein February 20 was given as the deadline. “What should not have happened has happened. We did our best and will continue to do so to work in the interests of the farmers of the State”.

All the Cauvery riparian States have challenged the final award of the CWDT and have also submitted clarificatory petitions before the CWDT which incidentally is yet to be reconstituted. The Supreme Court has categorically assured that the notification of the final award will be without any prejudice to any State.

20 February, 2013

Chief minister Shri Jagadish Shettar launched Biofuel schemes

BANGALORE: Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday launched two new biofuel schemes, ‘Hombelaku’ and Hongirana, at an event organised by Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board.

Under ‘Hongirana,’ biofuel marts will be set up in all districts. Managed by NGOs, these marts will sell biofuel seedlings, seeds, oil, bio-diesel, de-oiled cakes, soaps, and other products. These marts will also back up as information and facilitation centres.

‘Hombelaku’ scheme mainly aims at decentralised value addition of producing and utilising non-edible oil and de-oiled cake as manure. Mini oil expellers are provided to women self help groups under this scheme. A budgetary allocation of Rs 15 lakh is provided for setting up 60 such units to benefit self help groups.

The community driven, pro-agricultural scheme helps in development of rural economy and empowerment of women.

‘Hombelaku’ was launched by providing the first oil expelling unit to a women’s organisation of Chikkaballapur.

In the past four-and-a-half-years, the Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board has planted 542 lakh bio-fuel seedlings such as Pongamia, Neem, Mahua Simarouba under Hasiru Honnu, Baradu Bangara and Suvarna Bhoomi schemes.

13 March, 2013

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar met the seer Siddaganga Shivakumara Swami on the 106th birthday celebration

Karnataka: Tens of thousands of devotees from all over Karnataka greeted Siddaganga Seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, popularly known as 'Walking God,' on his 106thbirth day celebrated in a simple manner at the math in Tumkur, about 70 km from here, today.

Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President, Dr G Parameshwar, were among the first to visit the centenarian seer while thousands of others queued up to touch his feet and pray for his long life.

The ever active seer, despite his advancing age, got up very early in the morning today and performed puja and went on his daily chores of inquiring about the studies of thousands of students he feeds at the math schools and colleges.

Earlier, the swamiji was brought to the mutt by offering traditional Purnakumbha by 106 women who led him from old math premises to the new math complex.

Shettar said the Central leaders of the party would release the list of BJP candidates.

1 March, 2013

Shettar is BJP’s chief ministerial candidate

KARNATAKA: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s State unit on Thursday officially announced Jagadish Shettar as its candidate for the Chief Minister’s post.

During the launch of the party’s Vijay Sankalpa Yatra and election campaign here on Thursday, party State president Pralhad Joshi and national vice-president D.V. Sadananda Gowda announced the party’s decision, and appealed to the people of north Karnataka to support the BJP. He appealed for a second chance for the BJP to carry ahead the development programmes, and listed the party’s achievements. It was the people’s belief in the BJP that led them to reject the Congress and other parties in the 2008 elections, he said.

While the BJP has already found its candidate, the Congress is yet to decide, and as a result almost every senior leader in the party has projected himself as an aspirant for the post, said Mr. Gowda, taking a dig at the Congress.

“Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G. Parameshwara have both claimed to be the party’s candidate; so has N. Dharam Singh, and Union Minister for Labour M. Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.

Mr. Gowda admitted that first three years of the BJP’s rule witnessed corruption, scams and denotification of land by individual leaders. However, the party had been scam-free for the past two years, he added.

Mr. Shettar said the BJP had fulfilled its promises, such as building the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, and holding the winter session of the State legislature in Belgaum.

He also listed various other decisions, including the crop loan waiver, the announcement of 43 new taluks in his budget proposals for 2013–14, the decision to regularise services of 23,000 daily wage employees in various State government departments.

He promised to double the number of development projects if the BJP was voted to power.

5 April, 2013

Upbeat Shettar predicts BJP’s tally at over 120

BANGALORE: Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Saturday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party would do better in the Assembly elections scheduled for May 5 than in the 2008 polls — its best performance ever. He predicted between 120 and 135 seats for the party in the 224-member Assembly (against the tally of 110 in 2008).

At an informal interaction with media persons here, Mr. Shettar said the party was hopeful of increasing its tally mainly in the Bombay Karnataka region, especially Belgaum district, and also in Chitradurga, Tumkur and some areas around Bangalore. “You will also see surprise gains for the party,” he said. This confidence, he said, followed from “the mess” in the Congress over distribution of ticket, and the competition among Congress leaders for the Chief Minister’s post. He claimed that the BJP government had done well on infrastructure development in the last five years despite its internal crises.

Asked how he expected people to support a party whose government’s image had been sullied by infighting and the presence of “tainted” personalities in the Ministry, the Chief Minister said with the quitting of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the party had put this problem behind it.

“We have rectified the mistake. While D.V. Sadananda Gowda gave a clean image to the party government in his 11-month rule, I have managed to give stability in the last 8 months,” he said.

He said that the Karnataka Janata Paksha of Mr. Yeddyurappa was only trying to “snatch some votes” from the BJP and was not aiming for a win. On being asked if the reason behind the BJP singling out the Congress and not the JD (S) for criticism was that it wanted to keep the option of forging a post-poll alliance with the JD (S) open, Mr. Shettar said the Congress was its main opponent. As for an alliance with the JD (S), he said the people of the State would give a full mandate to the BJP and there would be no hung House.

BJP State president Pralhad Joshi said the party would finalise the campaign programme of all its leaders, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

14 April, 2013

BJP is back with a bang, says Shettar

BANGALORE: In an interview with The Hindu, he says the party has recovered lost ground. Excerpts from the interview:

Q BJP started the poll campaign for the second-term on the wrong foot, losing senior leaders and also getting drubbed in the urban local body (ULB) polls. What is the situation now?
A It is true that the BJP started the campaign after losing the ULB elections, but surprisingly the party has galloped back into reckoning gaining strength day by day as the election day is nearing, and we have recovered almost all the lost ground in the State.

Q Do you have confidence that the people have forgiven the BJP?
A It is true that the people were not happy with the BJP, but all that has changed now and the tide has turned in favour of the BJP due to the clean and effective governance provided during the tenure of D.V. Sadananda Gowda and myself.

People want a stable government and the BJP is the only party that can give a stable and corruption-free government.

Q Don’t you think the BJP manifesto is full of gimmicks?
A We have made a sincere and honest attempt in presenting our vision before the people. We have not indulged in any gimmick and what we have promised would be implemented in the next five years if BJP is voted back to power.

Q Which are the areas in which the party is weak and what efforts have been made to regain lost ground?
A In Central Karnataka, the party was weak and we are making an all-out effort to win back lost ground there.

Q Is the BJP missing seasoned campaigner B.S. Yeddyurappa in the election campaign. Do you think the BJP has lost its clout among the Lingayats?
A The BJP has never depended on personalities to win elections…We are not facing any deficiencies in the campaign due to the absence of Mr. Yeddyurappa, who was projected by the party in the earlier election as its leader. The growth of the BJP has been steady in the State and this growth cannot be erased in one election.

Q What would be the role of money and muscle power in the coming elections?
A Money and muscle power alone cannot win the elections this time. The Election Commission has done a wonderful job to ensure free and fair elections, not withstanding complaints of excesses and overzealousness in implementing the model code of conduct in a few parts of the State. In Gulbarga city, even my car was checked by election authorities… I welcome this.

24 April, 2013

Bangalore blast: No intelligence alert, CM Jagadish Shettar says

BANGALORE: Karnataka chief ministerJagadish Shettar said on Thursday there was no specific information or alert "from anybody" about the bomb blast near the BJP office that left 16 persons injured.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the injured persons at government-run K C General Hospital here, he maintained that there was no intelligence failure.

Shettar said the government had taken all steps required and beefed up the security in sensitive areas across the state.

Reacting to allegations by some Congress leaders that the bomb blast was a handiwork of "saffron" terrorists to gain sympathy for the ruling BJP, Shettar said the opposition should desist from giving a political colour to the incident. "It will not be in a good taste."

"Leaders should not politicise the incident, especially when investigations are on. The perpetrators will be known and would be in public domain soon. Until then, I appeal to them not to give a political colour to the issue," he said.

The state government has decided to give compensation to the injured and those whose houses and properties have been damaged, the Chief Minister said. "The government will bear medical expenses of the injured," he added.

After visiting the blast site on Wednesday night, Shettar had said he suspected that the perpetrators of terror wanted to spread fear among the people by planting an explosive near the BJP office.

Asked if the explosion was targeted at BJP, Shettar had said he did not want to give a political colour, but going by the incident "I suspect that it was so."

16 people, including 11 policemen, were injured in the blast yesterday opposite to BJP office, which the government has termed as a "clear act of terror."

18 April, 2013

Let's not politicise the blast: Jagadish Shettar

BANGALORE: A day after deputy claimed that the explosion targeted BJP, CM utters words of wisdom.

A day after the blast at Malleswaram in the city, chief minister Jagadish Shettar said that the incident was a serious issue and should not be politicised.

Speaking with reporters after visiting the injured at the hospital, Shettar said the BJP and other parties will have to work together in such situations. He also assured that the NIA and NSG with city police investigations would bring the perpetrators to book very soon. State BJP president Prahlad Joshi accompanied him.

Police, who are intensifying their efforts to collect evidence to crack the case, said that initial investigations pointed to ammonium nitrate was the explosive used by the perpetrators of the act, with a timer to trigger the explosion.

Addressing the media, DG&IG Lalrokhuma Pachau announced Rs five lakh reward to anyone offering credible information on the blast. Pachau said a special team formed under the supervision of joint commissioner of police Pronab Mohanty was investigating the case.

It was assisted by officials from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, bomb disposal squads and teams from National Investigating Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG).

The police are yet to get credible evidence about the man parked the motorcycle in which the bomb was placed. City police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said: “The bike which triggered the blast was traced to a person in Chennai and a team of officials are questioning them to ascertain the ownership of the vehicle. The police have obtained few clues from the blast sites which are being verified. We have obtained some coins, and a toothbrush and other clues which are being probed.”

Footage from CCTVs located near and around the blast site have been obtained and are being analysed, but the police have not got any solid clues.

The CCTV installed at the house situated right opposite the blast site has focused on only the house and the stairs while footage from CCTVs at the BJP office and another installed at a nearby temple have failed to provide any clues.

Auradkar said: “We are analysing the video’s of CCTV footage and it is too early to reveal the details of the investigation progress.” A team of police is analyzing the call records from the nearest towers to identify any suspicious conversations.

Police have collected a Bajaj CT100 motorcycle which was abandoned near the blast spot which is also partially damaged and verifying all other vehicles as well as the materials found at the spot.

The police have also collected some information about the suspicious movements of people at the bomb blast spot, and inputs have been taken from both public and also the KSRP policemen present at the spot. The sketches are being made and there are chances that they would be released by Friday evening.

They have recorded statements of eyewitnesses and will question the jailed IM operatives in case of any need, Auradkar said.

Security beefed up
Pachau said security has been beefed up at all the vital installations including Raj Bhavan, high court, Vidhana Soudha, stadium, bus terminals, international airport, railway stations, metro stations.

19 April, 2013

‘Rice at 1 rupee a kg’

BANGALORE: BJP releases 19-point manifesto promising life insurance to BPL families.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday released a 19-point manifesto ahead of the May 5 Assembly elections, promising rice at Re. 1 for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families if voted to power.

The party had promised rice at Rs. 2 before the previous elections in 2008 and made efforts to rush through its implementation just before the 2013 elections. However, model code of conduct came in the way of its implementation.

Senior party leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley released the manifesto which makes promises for all sections of society, in the presence of party State unit president Pralhad Joshi, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and party’s national secretary Ananth Kumar.

Free laptop
The 39-page manifesto promises to provide 25 kg of rice at Re.1 a kg for BPL families. It also promises free laptop and tablets to PU and graduate students, free Internet facility at government schools and colleges. The manifesto also promises to extend skill development training to over 10 lakh youths and generating employment opportunities for them. The manifesto called “Vikasa” (Development) also promises life insurance to all BPL families and crop insurance scheme at village and unit level.

The party assured the electorate of extending Sakala to all government services for effective implementation of the e-governance in all government departments.

For women, it offers Karnataka Women Rights Commission, 50 per cent of reservation for women in local bodies, training and establishment of help centres to ensure their safety and secur*ity. It offers special education and skill development programmes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, backward classes communities, generation of employment, and creation of housing facility.

Solid Waste
To address issue solid waste management, which haunted the BJP government, the party planned to set up Municipal Solid Waste Management Authority for “environment protection and waste processing.” The document also promises setting up of Bangalore Environmental Corporation for “preserving ecology, environment and lakes around Bangalore.”

D.B. Chandre Gowda, president of the manifesto committee, claimed that the party had kept 85 per cent of promises made in 2008 and failed to provide good governance because of political problems. Mr. Shettar asserted that election code of conduct came in the way of keeping the promise on distributing rice at Rs. 2 a kg.

19 April, 2013

Advani all praise for Shettar, Sadananda Gowda

HUBLI: Advani told reporters at the Hubli airport on Sunday that both Gowda and Shettar have given pro-people administration, which is noteworthy and people would re-elect the BJP government.

Expressing hope that the BJP would retain power in Karnataka, senior leader L K Advani appreciated the contributions of D V Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar as CMs after Yeddyurappa resigned.

Advani told reporters at the Hubli airport on Sunday that both Gowda and Shettar have given pro-people administration, which is noteworthy and people would re-elect the BJP government. “BJP leaders have been involved in election programmes since the time the poll dates were announced. Development works of the BJP in the state are the basis of this electioneering,” he said.

‘Corrupt UPA’
Advani termed the UPA government as the most corrupt since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. There is a Prime Minister but the government is being run by others, he said.“Many influential Union ministers are involved in corruption and graft cases. Manmohan Singh is the PM for appearance sake but Sonia Gandhi is running the government,” said Advani.

On Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s opposition to Modi’s candidature as PM, Advani said: “Since there was no discussion on this matter at the party’s parliamentary committee meeting, the matter does not arise now.”

No to corruption
At the election campaign at B T Patil grounds in Ranebennur in Haveri on Sunday, Advani said that the BJP is committed to provide corruption-free governance in Karnataka. Lauding the BJP-governed states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka for providing a development-oriented government, Advani said that he had come to the state hoping for results in favour of the BJP. Advani’s helicopter failed to identify the helipad properly near Ranebennur and hovered and did five rounds before landing at Kumarpattanam helipad, 12 km from Ranebennur. The campaign was scheduled at 3.30 pm but he came at 6 pm.

22 April, 2013

Spotlight on CM’s constituency

HUBLI: All eyes are on the supporters of the Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly Constituency from where Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is seeking re-election. It has become all the more important as he has been projected as the chief ministerial candidate by the BJP.

The constituency, formerly known as Hubli Rural, has contributed two CMs — S R Bommai and Shettar.

Congress’ Hubli-Dharwad unit is a divided house, which will be an advantage for BJP. A Congress leader admits that not all leaders are working for the victory of the official candidate, Mahesh C Nalwad, a doctor.

While the BJP is banking on the development of twin cities in the last five years, Congress has made corruption and BJP’s misrule as its poll plank. It is also relying heavily on its two star campaigners, AICC Supremo Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, to change the fortunes of its candidate.

Shettar’s campaign is being looked after by his wife Shilpa and brother Pradeep. Locals contend that B S Yeddyurappa’s KJP will eat into the traditional votes of BJP. Like the BJP and Congress candidates, KJP nominee Shekhargouda Patil too is a Lingayat.

The 75,000-strong Lingayat community votes are expected to be split among the three.The Muslim votes of about 34,000, are likely to go to JD(S) candidate Shams Tabrez Shamsi, a realtor.

Shettar has the advantage of knowing the constituency well, while all his rivals are first-timers. The constituency has a mix of educated and neo-literate voters, most of whom are traditional BJP voters, since 1999.

KJP is depending on Yeddyurappa, who, as CM, released crores of rupees for development of the cities.Although, former MLAs Jabbar Khan Honnalli and Ashok Katwe, who originally belonged to Congress and BJP respectively, are now in KJP, they hardly wield any influence in the constituency. However, Yeddyurappa’s recent attack on Shettar has disappointed many voters.

“If Yeddyurappa wants to promote his new party, let him do it without attacking BJP and its leaders,” said Roopkumar of Keshwapur.

“It is true that corruption and fight for power were at its peak during the BJP government. We are only concerned about the development of Hubli-Dharwad cities. If any development has taken taken place, it has been only during the last five years,” said Anand Patil, who owns a grocery shop in Vidyanagar.

26 April, 2013

Narendra Modi doesn't think Rahul Gandhi can spell 'Jagadish Shettar' !

AHMEDABAD/BANGALORE: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Sunday repeatedly attacked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, seeking to challenge his argument that “no individual can do anything” and accused him of going back on commitments made by his party in its recent Jaipur conclave.

Addressing a public rally in Bangalore to campaign for BJP candidates for the May 5 assembly elections in Karnataka, Modi, referring to Rahul as “born with golden spoon leader” said “an individual can do so many things”.

Then he went on to narrate the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the unification of India and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan of “Jai Jawaan; Jai Kisaan” that led to a revolution on the foodgrains production front with the country being self-sufficient in this regard even today.

He said the Grand Old Party’s Jaipur conclave had committed not to give party tickets to those who lost by a huge margin, kin of Congress leaders and criminals. “Congress has thrown water over those commitments”, Modi said, adding, “In Karnataka elections, have they not given tickets to those who lost by more than 15,000 votes, to kin of leaders and to criminals?”

Modi said in India, the culture is children obey whatever their mother says and then referred to Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s statement that “power is poison”. “Mother says ‘power is poison’ and son (Rahul) comes calling in Karnataka seeking power to the party”.

Seeking to mock at Rahul without mentioning his name, Modi said the Congress vice-president would not be able to spell the name of Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

29 April, 2013

We'll win 120-135 seats: Jagadish Shettar

BANGALORE:Shettar said it was the Union government that had appreciated state government departments (rural development department and road transport department) by giving awards for best performance. The BJP will win 125-135 seats and form a stable government. That's what chief minister Jagadish Shettar feels. Participating in an interactive programme organised by Press Club and Reporters' Guild on Monday, Shettar said there was no proposal to have a tie-up either with Congress or Janata Dal (S) after the elections.

"Where is the need for us to think about a tie-up with other political parties when we are confident of winning majority seats in the assembly polls?'' asked Shettar. He said many had doubted whether his own government would survive when it was formed nine months ago. "There was a feeling among politicians that my government would not complete the nine-month period, but it has successfully done so,'' he said.

Contending that Congress leaders had no right to make allegations against the BJP government in the state, he said the UPA government was itself mired in a number of scams. "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are making vague allegations. I want them to make specific complaints or allegations against my government. There was none,'' he said.

Shettar said it was the Union government that had appreciated state government departments (rural development department and road transport department) by giving awards for best performance. "I don't know what has made them criticise my government. It is the central government that is refusing to cooperate with the state government. For example, it did not give the nod for supply of coal to the proposed power station to be made by Karnataka in Chhattisgarh state,'' he said.

Denying the allegation of him betraying former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, Shettar said that he was not responsible for replacing Yeddyurappa with another BJP leader as chief minister. "I don't think that there will be any impact of the KJP on the BJP's prospects in the assembly elections,'' he said.

30 April, 2013

CM Jagadish Shettar to visit Bhatkal today

BHATKAL:Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar will undertake a one-day visit to Bhatkal today during which he is expected to ask his party workers to be fully prepared for the 2013 state assembly election.

Mr. Shettar will address the party worker in national highway, next to TFC Hotel, Bhatkal at 11.00 am.

Along with Chief Minister, Member of Parliament Ananth Kumar Hegde, BJP Bhatkal-honnavar Candidate Govinda Naik and other leaders will present.

1 May, 2013

Jagadish Shettar took a dig at KJP

TUMKUR:Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar took a dig at Karnataka Janta Party (KJP) chief B S Yeddyurappa for claiming that he was responsible for Shettar’s rise to the top post.

“My family has, for long, been associated with the party and we were members of Jan Sangh for a long time. One of the three Jan Sangh MLAs elected in 1967 was my uncle and we were among the MLAs elected in 1983.

“Where was this Yeddyurappa then? Who is he to make me chief minister,” he asked at a Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) rally in Huliyar under Chikkanayakanahalli segment, and Sira town.

He termed the survey which stated that Congress will get simple majority, as far from reality.

“There are a plenty of chief minister aspirants in that party, including 85-year-old Jaffer Sharief. What kind of a governance will they deliver if they come to power?” he asked.

Shettar also warned CLP leader Siddaramaiah over his remarks on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

“The Congress might have been frightened by Modi’s wave in the state and it was not fair for Siddarmaiah to make remarks to malign Modi,” he said.

The more the Congress tries to malign Modi it will help the BJP, he said.

1 May, 2013

'People want a clean government'

Interview with Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

CHOSEN to lead the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka chiefly on account of his Lingayat tag, Jagadish Shettar has his work cut out. Chief Minister for nine months, he has the unenviable task of resurrecting the BJP’s image and leading the party back to power. Excerpts from an interview:

You have been designated as the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate. What priorities do you see for the new government?

Providing a clean, transparent, development-oriented and corruption-free government was the goal of my nine-month-old administration.

How do you read the election trends?

I have been touring the Hyderabad-Karnataka region and I can say with confidence that there is a positive trend towards the BJP.

The BJP is accused of running a corruption-ridden government?

Those people [B.S. Yeddyurappa and the Bellary Reddy brothers] are not with the party any more. Their actions caused confusion in the minds of the public about the BJP. But both D.V. Sadananda Gowda and I gave clean, corruption-free government. People will forgive us for the wrongs that were committed earlier.

Corruption does not seem to be an issue in this election?

No one can raise it. With the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance coalition caught in a number of scams running to crores and crores of rupees, the Congress has no moral right to raise the issue of corruption. People also don’t want to hear about corruption. They want a clean government.

Who is your main rival?

The Congress, and in some constituencies there will be triangular fights also involving the Janata Dal (Secular).

What about Yeddyurappa’s Karnataka Janatha Paksha?

It will not work for him. In the beginning we were apprehensive that he would damage our prospects. But it is now evident that the people have realised that it is a waste voting for his party since it is not going to win. We are highlighting this aspect to the voters: why waste your vote on a party that has no chance of coming to power? The BSR Congress launched by B. Sriramulu will also have no impact on the electorate.

Owing to the violent actions of some Sangh Parivar elements, the BJP seems to have lost its popularity in the coastal areas?

That is not true. It is all media hype. The actions of these groups have had no impact on the BJP’s popularity. Also, the ordinary public are not in favour of this so-called modern pub culture.

But the party lost badly in the recent urban local body elections.

Those results will not affect the forthcoming elections. We will win around 125 seats.

2 May, 2013

Jagadish Shettar greets people on "Basava Jayanthi"

Outgoing Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar today greeted the people of the state on the occasion of "Basava Jayanthi".

In his message, the Chief Minister said "let work is worship and other enternal principles propogated by Basavanna and values of Vachana of Sharana Culture inspire one and all to cohabit peacefully and create a prosperous model society".

"We accept the verdict of the people and offer constructive cooperation to the new government as a responsible opposition party. I take this opportunity to thank the people of the state for give the BJP an opportunity to serve them in the past five years," Shettar told reporters.

The former CM said the BJP government's efforts to publicize its achievements didn't yield results. Analyzing the results, Shettar said the Congress may have got a majority but it wasn't a positive vote. "The Congress garnered seats due to anti-incumbency ," he said, adding that in a democratic set-up winning and losing are part of the process.

13 May, 2013

Present a supplementary budget: Shettar

Hubli:The former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has suggested that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should present a supplementary budget instead of presenting a new budget for the State.

Speaking at a party workers’ meeting held here on Sunday, Mr. Shettar said Mr. Siddaramaiah’s move to present the budget afresh was meaningless.

“I have already presented the budget, and Mr. Siddaramaiah can present a supplementary budget if he wants to propose new programmes”, he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah announced several programmes in a hurry to get popularity. But he was trying to revoke the programmes announced (such as new taluks) by the BJP government.

His decision to supply liquor at a low price would affect the life of poor people, Mr. Shettar added.

Stating that he gave a clean administration for 10 months, Mr. Shettar noted that the Congress government could have implemented the pro-people programmes announced by him.

The Bharatiya Janata Party experienced a technical setback in Assembly polls, and Congress won more seats only due to the internal quarrel in BJP and division of its votes, he said.

Mr. Shettar also asked the Congress MLAs of the district to bring more funds for the development of the district and to pressure the Union government to include Hubli-Dharwad under the JNNURM.

State BJP president Pralhad Joshi alleged that the Congress government has resorted to hate politics, and it would not give a smooth administration.

MLA Aravind Bellad, BJP city district unit president Mahesh Tenginkai, and the former MLA Veerabhadrappa Halaharavi were present.

27 May, 2013

Shettar demands white paper on finance

Bangalore: Bharatiya Janata Party floor leader Jagadish Shettar demanded the state government to come out with a white paper on the State’s financial position in the last 10 years to have clarity on the issue.

Participating in a debate on revised budget for the year 2013-14 in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, he said time and again Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been alleging that the previous BJP government totally ‘mishandled’ the finances and emptied the state’s treasury. But the CM has not substantiated his argument in the revised budget presented last week. It is creating a wrong impression in the minds of the common people, he said.

“Let Siddaramaiah come out with a white paper on the state’s financial position for last 10 years so all can know the truth,” he demanded.

Shettar took the government to task for its statement that the BJP government had given around Rs 650 crore to various mutts and religious institutions in the last five years.

He said the present Congress government too has earmarked Rs 75 crore in the budget as grants towards religious institutions to be given to mutts, if they approach the government.

The previous government released funds to all religious institutions in recognition of their services to society. The Congress government is free to reveal the details of the funds that the previous government provided to religious institutions. But it is wrong to say that the government favoured a particular community, he said.

Shettar charged that the government did not have a political will to declare 43 new taluks which are announced by the BJP government as the credit would go to the BJP. “If the government thinks that the previous government had included an additional four to five taluks, let it remove them and take steps to create rest of the taluks as suggested by four committees,” he said.

The previous government mooted the idea of creating new taluks as most of the existing taluks are big and are unable to manage.

“The Congress is looking at the issue with a political angle instead of viewing it from the point of decentralisation of power. People of those taluks would teach a lesson to the party in the coming days,” he claimed.

17 July, 2013

Shettar defends withdrawal of candidates

Bangalore: Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister and leader of the BJP in the Legislative Assembly, on Sunday defended the party’s decision to withdraw its candidates in the by-elections to the two Lok Sabha seats.

“We withdrew our candidates to strengthen the chances of the Janata Dal(S) and defeat the Congress,” he said.

He was speaking to the media during his brief stay in the city on his way to Shivapura in Belur, where he attended a programme.

He exuded the confidence that the Congress would be defeated in the two Lok Sabha segments and three Legislative Council constituencies that are facing by-elections. “The Congress has lost the confidence of people three months after coming to power. All Opposition parties have joined hands to defeat the Congress in the by-elections,” he said.

In reciprocal to the BJP’s gesture, the Janata Dal(S) has not fielded its candidates in the Legislative Council by-elections. The Karnataka Janata Paksha has also extended its support to the Opposition candidates with a view to defeating the Congress. “Based on the results in the by-elections, the BJP would decide on further alliances for the general elections,” he said.

To a question on the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa re-joining the BJP, Mr. Shettar said that the decision was left to the party high command.

12 August, 2013

Sri Jagadish Shettar is now Leader of Opposition

Bangalore: Sri Jagadish Shettar, former chief minister of Karnataka assumes the position of Leader of opposition in 224 member assembly. This announcement came in wake of BJP and KJP merger taking their collective tally to 44. The humble leader from Hubli asserts that he will try his best to be instrumental in this role while making use of this opportunity to raise people's issues effectively. Leader in the past also has served as opposition leader between 1999 and 2004.

With the total tally of BJP and KJP outnumbering JDS, Sri Jagadish Shettar being the floor leader of BJP in assembly has been recognized as new Leader of opposition and the announcement in the regard was made by speaker on Jan 23,2014.

Taking a note of imminent Lok Sabha elections leader says that becoming main party in opposition will enable them to take up public issues more aggressively and get them closer to people.

10 February, 2014

Karnataka Budget is Populist, says Sri Jagadish Shettar

Former chief minister Sri Jagadish Shettar termed the state budget as 'Populist', presented keeping in mind upcoming Lok Sabha Elections

"It is a populist budget based on unrealistic revenue growth and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has presented it on February 14 with an eye on ensuing Lok Sabha elections," added the leader while addressing the house during the budget debate. The Opposition Leader said the budget lacks specific focus on industrial development.

Employment generation did not get any attention in this budget and no innovative ways to collect tax have been sought, said the minister.

Taking note of expenses incurred, the leader said only 57% of the allocated funds have been spent this financial year and is doubtful of the spending of the rest of the 47% of funds in next three months. He also criticized for reducing the allocation for implementation of D M Nanjundappa Committee's recommendations for reducing regional imbalances.

18 February, 2014

BJP confident of faring well in Lok Sabha Elections with strong Modi wave and organizational strength' says Shri Jagadish Shettar

Main opposition leader in Karnataka Assembly Shri Jagadish Shettar is confident of BJP securing at least 20 seats in imminent Lok Sabha elections. BJP will gain immensely with strong Modi wave and has advantage of organizational strength says the leader.

On return of former CM B S Yeddruyappa and B Sriramulu the opposition leader says that party will gain from their regrouping. 'We are united and there is no opposition in the party and among cadres on return of Yeddruyappa and Sriramulu' says Shri Jagadish Shettar.

17 March, 2014

Jagdish Shettar suggests formation of North Karnataka cricket body:

Belagavi 15-12-2014: Former Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar on Monday demanded the formation of a separate cricket association for North Karnataka to promote talented players from the region.

Raising the issue during the debate on regional imbalance in the state legislative assembly here, Shettar said there is a need for creation of a separate cricket association in addition to the existing Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

The new cricketing body will help promote talented cricketers of northern parts of Karnataka, who are not being given due importance and exposure, Shettar said.

"There are many talented cricketers here in northern parts of Karnataka, and forming a new cricket body will help promote talented cricketers from this region," Shettar added.

"The cricket boys in the region have been unable to show their talent as less opportunities came their way."

Maharashtra has three cricket bodies - Mumbai Cricket Association, Maharashtra Cricket Association and Vidharbha Cricket Association. Likewise, Gujarat has Gujarat Cricket Association and Suarashtra Cricket Association.

Andhra Pradesh has Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association and Hyderabad Cricket Association. The erstwhile state also includes Telangana Cricket Association after the formation of Telangana state.

Expressing disappointment, Shettar said the existing cricket body, the KSCA, was selecting players either residing or are native of Bengaluru, but very few players are selected from North Karnataka.

States like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, have more than one cricket bodies and it would be a good idea for Karnataka to emulate these states, Shettar suggested.

Shettar said, in the past, this region has spawned good cricketers like Sunil Joshi, who played for India and Karnataka Ranji teams. 

15 December, 2014

Bjp win in haryana-maharashtra polls to impact karnataka politics jagadish shettar

BENGALURU: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar on Tuesday said BJP's victory in Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections will have its bearing on state politics.

"BJP's performance in Lok Sabha elections was a major step towards Congress free India, now it has been repeated in Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections. This will have its effect on Karnataka politics," Shettar told reporters.

"This election was crucial; people have voted in favour of BJP. It has created a political impact; political polarisation has already started and will definitely have its impact on Karnataka politics," he said. "We can expect major changes in the state politics," he said. Commenting on the state government's decision to reject the judicial commission report on church attacks in 2000, Setter termed the move as "vote bank politics" with an intention to appease people from minority community. Rejecting the Justice Somashekhar Commission report on the church attacks, the Karnataka cabinet had last week decided to ask the home department to take action, as per the recommendations of National Human Rights Commission, against those involved in the attacks.

21 October, 2014

Shettar to open party membership drive registration office on Friday:

MANGALURU:Dakshina Kannada unit of Bharatiya Janata Party is moving towards ensuring a systematic membership registration drive by opening a separate office for the purpose at Jagannath Joshi Soudha, party head office here on Friday. Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar will inaugurate the membership registration office in the presence of Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, state BJP general secretary Sunil Kumar, state vice-president Sulochana G K Bhat among others.

Sanjeev Mattandur, district membership campaign chief and general secretary of the party unit stated that the party has already started a nationwide membership campaign drive that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched on November 1. The district unit too has drawn up a systematic membership campaign plan in this regard. Steps have been taken to organise membership workshops for party cadre in all assembly constituency segments in the district before November 30.

Stating that the district level workshop has already been held, Sanjeev said the district unit of the party has drawn up an ambitious plan to enroll 3 lakh members during the campaign that ends on March 31, 2015. Those interested in becoming members can call 1800-266-2020 and this kickstarts a process of enrolment. The party cadre will undertake a door-to-door campaign from March 1 to 31 next year with an aim to enroll atleast 200 members from each of the 1766 election booths in the district.

19 November, 2014

After citizen's protest, Shettar inspects roads:

HUBLI: Close on the heels of citizens and eminent personalities taking to the streets to protestagainst bad roads, former chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar inspected the ongoing road repair works that have begun in some localities of the district.

Accompanied by the Mayor Shivu Hiremath, HDMC commissioner Noor Mansur and other officials and councillors, Mr. Shettar began his inspection of road repair works from Sainagar in Unakal and visited several other roads including those at Lingaraj Nagar and other areas.

Speaking to press persons during the inspection, Mr. Shettar said that he had directed officials to ensure that quality road repair work was done. He said that considering the sorry state of the roads, the Deputy Commisssioner of Dharwad was asked to initiate road development works immediately under emergency works.

He admitted that although repair works had begun, the quality of the works was not satisfactory and the officials had been directed to take remedial measures. He said that during the meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad, he had suggested taking up repair works of important junctions in the twin cities and shortly it would be taken up.

Mayor Shivu Hiremath said that in addition to repairing the roads dug up for the underground drainage network and filling the potholes, several main roads would be asphalted and the road at Sainagar to Unakal Cross was one among them. He said that the funds for the works were being mobilised through different heads.

Apathy

Replying to a query, Mr. Shettar alleged that although lack of funds for developmental works for Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation was raised on several occasions and plea for release of funds at least for the sanctioned works was made, the state government was apathetic towards the issue. “The people of North Karnataka are being meted out step-motherly treatment. We have raised the issue several times, will raise it again and if nothing happens, then agitation will be the only option”, he said.

Mr. Shettar said that even the sanctioned funds for the twin cities were not being released resulting in stoppage of development works.

2.5 km concrete road

If everything goes as planned, the work on laying a 2.5 km concrete road stretch on Gokul Road will begin by the end of this month.

Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar said that as a chief minister he had sanctioned Rs. 7 crore project for development of Gokul Road. “Subsequently we changed the proposal to make it a concrete road and out of Rs. 7 crore 2.5 km concrete road could be laid. The project is sanctioned and the tenders will be finalised by December 15 and the work will start by month-end”, he said.

Mr. Shettar said that another Rs. 12 crore was required for laying the remaining stretch of Airport road into a concrete road and a proposal had already been submitted to the government for approval.

3 December, 2014

Walkout over CM's stand on Sugar Factories:

BELAGAVI: Opposition members staged a walkout in the Assembly on Monday when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his inability to ensure that sugar factories clear arrears to cane growers immediately.

The opposition had earlier staged a dharna in the House demanding that the chief minister spell out when he would fulfil his promise of ensuring payment of `2,500 per tonne of sugarcane.

Siddaramaiah said the factories would be made to pay 2,300 per tonne before the end ofthis month (December), and the remaining `200 would be cleared in two instalments between March and June 2015. “The factories and farmers are busy with cane crushing right now. It would not be wise at this point of time to take harsh measures that could result in closure of these factories. We will ensure that all the dues are cleared before the end of June,” he said.

Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar termed the chief minister’s reply as a gesture of bowing to the sugar lobby, and BJP members staged a walkout accusing the government of failing to protect the interests of farmers.

JD(S) members also trooped out after their leader H D Kumaraswamy demanded payment of 15 per cent interest on the arrears due for the past one year.

16 December, 2014

Shettar seeks Rs 30,000 crore for N-K region

BELAGAVI: BJP leader Jagadish Shettar urged the state government to announce a special package of Rs 30,000 crore for the development of North Karantaka (N-K). Participating in the debate on the development of the region, Shettar also demanded that the state government extend the implementation of Dr Nanjundappa Committee report on regional imbalances by another five years.

There is a feeling among the residents of the region that the government would scrap the Special Development Plan (SDP) being implemented since 2008 as per the Dr Nanjundappa Committee report, Shettar said.

The government should extend the SDP for another five years and allocate Rs 30,000 crore for the same, the former chief minister said. He also demanded an amendment to the Article 371(J). The Article in the present form will not be of much help for the people of H-K region, he said.

The provision to provide eight per cent reservation for people of Hyderabad Karnataka in education and employment outside the region has been challenged in the court and the court has given a stay, he said.

18 December, 2014

Guest Lecturer's Plight Dominates Talk in Council

BELAGAVI: The Legislative Council on Monday expressed serious concern about the poor condition of guest lecturers in government first grade colleges. The opposition leaders demanded a hike in their salary and its timely payment.

JD(S) member Basavaraj Horatti said many of the lecturers are forced to work as part-time bartenders and waiters at hotels to make a living because of their “meagre salaries”. “Their families are in dire straits as the salary is given once in six to eight months,” he said.

He said one lecturer told him that he waits tables at a restaurant and requests his table to be switched if his former students drop by.

Horatti added that female lecturers are forced to return to duty a month after delivery as they are not entitled to maternity leave or paid leave. He also claimed that guest lecturers work nine to 10 months a year but are forced to shell out bribes to clerks to get their dues.

As the minister concerned was not present in the House, floor leader and IT/BT Minister S R Patil said a reply would be given on Tuesday.

Aihole Residents to be Relocated: The process of shifting residents of Aihole village, Bagalkot, will start soon following land acquisition, said Patil. He said not only the 115 houses identified by the district administration, but residents of all the houses in the village will be shifted.

Jagadish Shettar had laid the foundation stone to commence the work when he was chief minister two years ago, but the work was not begun. Now, `8 crore has been released for the project.

Patil said all the historical monuments will be shifted without any damage. Parts of the village were submerged because of the Almatti dam.

16 December, 2014

Shettar: Sugar Mills owe Rs 1,732 cr to Ryots

BELAGAVI : Sugar mill owners owe `1,732 crore to growers, but the state government has failed to come to the rescue of farmers, Opposition Leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar has said.

Initiating a debate on the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday, Shettar pulled up the government for succumbing to the sugar factory lobby.

“Despite being armed with legislative powers and a High Court order, the government has failed to make sugar mill owners clear the dues. This shows that the government is hand in glove with sugar mills,” he charged.

The government had announced a fair and remunerative price (FRP) of `2,500 per tonne of sugarcane last year. But the sugar mills have been refusing to pay this price citing unaffordability and creating an impasse.

“If you (the government) cannot make the sugar factories pay, then you pay from your pockets and recover it later from the mill owners,” the Leader of the Opposition suggested.

He also accused the government of planning to amend the Karnataka Sugarcane (Purchase and Supply Control) Act, 2013 to include North Karnataka region also into the ex-gate system.

This means that farmers have to harvest the sugarcane crop and bring it to the factories at their own expense. At present, mill owners are bearing this expense.

Proceedings Disrupted

The proceedings of the first half of the day were disrupted as the BJP and JD(S) members staged a demonstration demanding a debate on the issue under an adjournment motion.

However, the ruling Congress members and the Speaker insisted on taking it up after question hour.

As the opposition members stuck to their stand, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa completed the question hour amid din.

10 December, 2014

Belagavi Session Set for a Stormy Winter

BELAGAVI: Border city Belagavi is decked up for the winter session of state legislature that begins on Tuesday. But the session with special emphasis to discuss and debate issues of backward North Karnataka is set for a stormy start with principal opposition BJP determined to set its own agenda through its massive protest. The BJP is trying to cash in on the cane growers’ anger against the government. The growers are condemning the government for its failure to get the sugar factories pay the 2,500 per tonne minimum support price.

The stand-off that is brewing between the Siddaramaiah government and BJP brings back the memories of a similar protest on the opening day of the session last year outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, which witnessed the suicide of a farmer, Vittal Arabhavi. Belagavi has been turned into a fortress as BJP has threatened to lay siege to Suvarna Soudha with over 50,000 farmers.

The BJP leadership is determined to go full blast in its offensive both inside and outside the House demanding the resignation of Ministers Dinesh Gundurao, Qamarul Islam, K J George, H S Mahadevaprasad and D K Shivakumar on allegations of land grab and alleged failure of the government in preventing sexual assaults on women and children.

The party is also set to raise alleged denotification of lands in Arkavathy Layout, illegal sand mining and host of other issues.

Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar and MP B S Yeddyurappa have rejected the CM’s appeal to give up their agitation plans.

JD(S), which is losing its steam in the state politics, is trying to regain the lost ground by going hyperactive inside the House. “We will actively participate in all the debates and raise the issues affecting our farmers, rampant illegal sand mining, corruption in the Siddaramaiah government to discharge our duty as a responsible opposition party,” says MLA H D Kumaraswamy.

The CM is, however, unfazed by the BJP’s threats of protest politics and is ready with a few political strategies to turn the tables. The fact that many senior BJP leaders themselves are facing serious corruption charges and many BJP leaders who are running sugar factories are among those who have failed to clear the cane growers’ dues could come handy for Siddaramaiah to take the sting out of the BJP’s offensive. Meanwhile, the district administration of Belagavi has given permission to Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti to hold Maha Melav, a convention of Marathi speaking people, which will add to the tension on the first day.

Another Protest by Vatal Nagaraj

Leader Vatal Nagaraj on Monday protested on the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha premises with an empty plate and a pillow to make his point that legislators should not eat and sleep in the sessions. Nagaraj told reporters that most legislators attend the sessions to eat and sleep.

9 December, 2014

I will continue as BJP floor leader, says Jagadish Shettar

Jagadish Shettar on Saturday said he would continue to be the leader of the BJP Legislature Party even after the merger of Karnataka Janata Paksha with the BJP.

Speaking to presspersons here ahead of meeting the Speaker to convey the party’s decision to get the KJP into its fold, Mr. Shettar said he would also become Leader of the Opposition after the merger since the BJP’s strength would increase to 44 from 40.

To a question whether Mr. Yeddyurappa would be made the leader of the BJP Legislature Party and be given the post of Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Shettar said Mr. Yeddyurappa could not be made the leader without following the due process.

The legislature party has to meet and elect its leader afresh and that depends upon senior party leaders, he said.

Asked whether the BSR Congress, would merge with the BJP, Mr. Shettar said the talks were on with party president B. Sriramulu.

The BJP has an open mind towards the merger, Mr. Shettar said.

BSR Congress has four members, including Mr. Sriramulu from Bellary, T.H. Suresh Babu from Kampli, S. Thippeswamy from Molakalmuru and P. Rajeev from Kudachi.

4 January, 2014

Maharashtra CM briefed about the ground reality in the N-K region: Shettar

Dharwad: The BJP panel, which met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has briefed about the ground reality that exists in the N-K region ahead of the meeting on October 21st.

“Expectations are high as the chief ministers of the three riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa meet in Mumbai on October 21 to discuss the Mahadayi river-linking project. We have urged Maha CM to persuade the two chief ministers to reach an amicable solution” said Shettar

Karnataka BJP leaders have taken the BJP-led governments in Goa and Maharashtra into confidence and arranged this meeting. However, the state Congress leaders have so far not taken up the issue with their party men in Goa and Maharashtra. The Congress is in the opposition in the two states, Shettar stated.

When there was a BJP government in the state, Rs 100 crore was released for construction of Kalasa-Banduri naala, on the other hand, the Congress has confined itself to making promises. The Congress government has not taken any concrete steps to make the project a reality, he said.

15 October, 2016

Shettar seeks transparency in Steel Bridge Project:

Bangalore: The controversial Steel Bridge project from Basaveshwara circle to Hebbal flyover has raised many questions against the govt, Shettar demanded for release of documents to bring about transparency.

Shettar said debates were going on in the media on the manner in which the flyover project was being pushed by the government and people, too, were expressing their views

“Rise in the project’s bid even after the raw material’s (Iron) price drop from 52K to 42K for every ton is a suspicious move that needs explanation. It is very surprising to see government taking up the expensive Steel Bridge project instead of economical alternatives like Metro lines. Although the BJP doesn’t have obligations towards developmental projects, taking up an overpriced project in such short notice is not a right move. I propose public talks be held before any further implementation” quoted Shettar.

A letter was written to the Chief Minister, addressing the issue, stating that it is the moral responsibility of the elected government to take public opinion into consideration especially in projects involving huge investments of tax payers’ money.

October 13, 2016

Shettar accuses TN of being adamant and uncooperative in Cauvery water issue:

Bangalore: After the failure of center’s intervention in the Cauvery issue, Shettar accused Tamil Nadu Government of being uncooperative and adamant.

"Tamil Nadu has always been an adamant state. Being a neighbor state, they have to cooperate in all aspects. Tamil Nadu should act not only on the interests of their people, but should also consider people residing in the adjacent state. 5 tmc water was released to Chennai from the Krishna Basin, now all we are demanding is for our drinking purposes and not for crops, which would be served with whatever little water is left in the reservoirs. It is unfortunate to see Tamil Nadu not paying any heed to the negotiation. The Central government, according to the direction of the Supreme Court tried to resolve this issue, but they remain adamant," said Shettar.

Shettar pointed out that Karnataka has honoured and implemented the Supreme Court orders of releasing 15000 cusecs and later 12000 cusecs of water, but it cannot anymore as the water storage is at it’s minimal level.

Shettar suggested that an expert committee be formed comprising of representatives of both states and a third party state should examine the Cauvery reservoir, only then the existing ground reality will be known.

September 30, 2016:

Govt forcing CID to end Ganapathi case probe, says Shettar

Hubballi: Alleging foul play in the M K Ganapthi suicide case, Shettar accused the Congress government of forcing CID to end the case in a bustle.

He said it is very surprising that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted the 'B' report to the Additional JMFC Court at Madikeri in such a short period.

Shettar alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah derailed the investigation from the beginning. "The government has a one-point program to protect former minister K J George in the case and its pressurized CID officers to end the investigation” he said.

The BJP panel in the Vidhan Sabha had protested earlier when the government had decided to hand over the case to CID accusing the move as a cover up to save it’s minister K J George.

Shettar demanded the state government to release all documents pertaining to the investigation immediately and hand over the case to CBI.

He said that the CID is pressurized to give clean chit to George and IPS officers A M Prasad and Pranab Mohanty reiterating "The CID submitted the report in 45 days. However, the same agency is not showing its efficiency in the case of M M Kalburgi".

September 20, 2016

Shettar accuses KPSC for corruption in KAS appointments

Bangalore: Shettar has opposed modifying appointment regulations accusing it to be a money looting channel which would deprive eligible candidates from procuring seats. He accused the new method of being analogous to auctioning of seats.

“The new modification will set up a stage to auction out the seats, henceforth candidates offering the highest bid for the seats would be getting the post” he quoted in the press conference.

“The results for KAS mains are given out 5-6 months back, but personality tests are yet to be conducted.

The ratio for a single post interview has been raised since 1:3 to 1:5 to bring in more competition. This is done so that posts could be allotted to candidates who pay the highest and thereby providing an easy crosscut for KPSC Chief Sham Bhatt to loot out money.” accused Shettar

Shettar claimed “HOOTA commission was formed to stop corruption, but the panel’s decision to conduct personality tests in the ratio of 1:3 and appointing officers belonging to other states for interviewer posts has been pushed aside. The government is turning KPSC into a money looting bank.”

September 15, 2016

Shettar seeks probe into BDA ‘missing’ files, alleges land scam:

Shettar accused BDA has become a “den of corruption” referring to the losses of 10,000 crore owing to scams involving land mafia and officials at the authority.

Shettar raised the issue in Legislative Assembly stating BDA has been in the “business of denotification of lands”, rather than conducting an inquiry into the missing BDA files, former Commissioner T.Sham Bhat filed an affidavit before Kempanna Commission which was probing into Arkavathi Layout denotification issue.

Citing a case, Mr. Shettar alleged that Hanumanthe Gowda, a developer, had managed to get hundreds of costlier sites in HSR Layout and Banashankari Layout in exchange for lands taken away for development of roads in the outskirts of the city. But originally these sites belonged to poor people to whom Mr. Gowda paid 2-3 lakhs and reportedly fabricated documents with the help of BDA officials.

Shettar demanded that granting of sites be stopped and instead compensation should be provided to original land losers. Accusing that such scams were going on with the knowledge of BDA officials and CM, he claimed such officials should be suspended immediately.

July 4, 2016

Shettar visits Neerasagar reservoir, asks officials to evolve a contingency plan for drinking water purposes:

Neerasagar reservoir is one of the water resources for the twin cities apart from the Malaprabha reservoir at Naviluteerth in Savadatti taluk of Belagavi district. Till July, it used to contribute 32 MLD (million liters a day) of water to the water supply cycle.

Superintending engineer S.B Siddanaik said 73 MLD of water is being pumped from Malaprabha reservoir at present, and in order to make up for the deficit of 32 MLD, they are diverting 8 to 9 MLD from Dharwad to Hubballi. “This has resulted in the supply cycle going beyond eight to nine days. We are trying to increase the frequency and bring it down to once in five days,” he said.

Both Mr. Shettar and Mr. Joshi were upset on learning that despite knowing that there had been no inflow into the reservoir this monsoon, officials had not come out with a plan to meet the water deficit.

After much scrutiny, Shettar asked officials to submit a proposal for installing an additional pump set to draw water and a treatment plant at Amminabhavi.

October 18th, 2016

Visit to BRTS work sites in Hubli:

During their visit to the work sites from Hosur Circle to Navanagar, leaders, Mr.Jagadish Shettar and Mr. Prahlad Joshi found that the roads had turned non-motorable on certain stretches and despite warnings, no action had been taken. There had been accidents on these roads resulting in casualties and the residents had staged protests on a few occasions.

They were angry against the company which had bagged the contract for building bus shelters and had suddenly disappeared. The representative of the company was unable to give any justifiable clarification for the suspension of work and said he was not aware that it was their responsibility to make the road motorable.

Hubballi-Dharwad BRTS managing director M.G. Hiremath clarified that they had served a notice to the company. He said that he had also sought the advice of the consultant appointed for the project on the extent of penalty to be levied.

Mr. Shettar directed Mr. Hiremath to get the damaged roads asphalted within a day and asked him to specify the date of completion of the project. Complaints about the consultant being the reason for the delay were also raised.

Meanwhile, BRTS officials clarified that there was no issue about coordination as a 12-member group had been created to address it. Mr. Hiremath also promised to initiate steps to get the works completed at the earliest.

October 18th, 2016

Protection of Non-residential Kannadigas in Maharashtra and Goa is state government’s moral responsibility:

The state government should provide proper security to non-resident Kannadigas, particularly those living in Maharashtra and Goa, said the leader of opposition in the state assembly Jagadish Shettar speaking at the Kannada Rajyotsava function organized at Siddharoodh Mutt.

Increasing attacks on Kannadigas in Maharashtra and Goa should be condemned and the state government should effectively place its case on the border row before the Supreme Court and teach a lesson to the MES which is frequently creating tension over the issue.

He said that Kannadigas should vow to protect Kannada from the onslaught of other languages. He called for programmes to educate people on the importance of Kannada.

November 1st, 2016

Shettar meets Joint Secretary, Agriculture and seeks special drought package for Karnataka.

The BJP has sought a special package for Karnataka in view of the state facing one of the worst drought situations. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar met the team headed by Joint Secretary of Agriculture Ministry Neeraja Adidam on Saturday and explained the situation. The team has been visiting the drought-hit areas to assess the extent of loss.

Shettar said that of the 176 taluks, the state has declared 139 taluks as drought-affected. This is the third successive year of drought and around 76 per cent of cultivated land is dependent on rainfall. Crops like paddy, ragi, wheat, groundnut, tur, maize, arecanut, plantain, onion, sugarcane, tobacco, edible oilseeds have all suffered.

Shettar later told reporters that they had provided the team with extensive data on the situation in the state.

“There is 31 percent of water storage in the 13 main dams in the state. Between June and October, not a single reservoir has filled up to capacity. While Malnad area is facing 29 per cent shortage in rainfall, coastal areas are facing 21 percent shortage. The total storage in these 13 reservoirs should have been 825.35 tmcft, but it is only 434.15tmcft,” he added.

November 6th, 2016

Shettar asks Mr.Sait to step down owning moral responsibility:

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Jagadish Shettar, demanded Mr. Sait's resignation for watching obscene clippings on his cell phone during Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in Raichur. "He should own moral responsibility and resign from the ministry," he added.

Mr. Shettar charged that Mr. Sait had brought disrepute and lowered the dignity and decorum of education department. What teachers, parents and students could expect from this tainted minister, he asked.

The Minister has forgotten his responsibility, watching obscene clippings in government program shows his attitude, brings a shock to everyone, and thus he has no moral right to continue in the ministry. Owing moral responsibility, the minister should resign from the ministry, Mr. Shettar demanded.

Tanveer Sait episode indicated that Siddaramaiah government is heading towards bankruptcy, the Chief Minister is always questioning the morality of the BJP, now he should exhibit his morality by dropping tainted minister from the Cabinet, Mr. Shettar said.

If Chief Minister does not drop the tainted minister from the Cabinet, BJP will raise the issue in the coming session in Belgavi, he warned.

November 11th, 2016

Govt. lacks action plan to tackle drought: Shettar

Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar came down heavily on the Siddaramaiah government for “lacking seriousness” over tackling the severe drought currently facing the State.

After visiting drought affected villages, Mr. Shettar told presspersons that crops have failed, drinking water scarcity has cropped up and farmers are suffering. But the State government was yet to have an action plan to tackle drought and provide relief to people.

“Mr. Siddaramaiah, after realizing the prevailing drought condition, should have come up with an action plan. But without any perspective, he was depending on the Centre to extend assistance for the purpose. Had he any concern towards people and farmers, he should have immediately started relief works without waiting for Central assistance. This only goes to show his adamant stand and negligent attitude towards farmers,” he said.

Mr. Shettar demanded that the State government immediately take a decision to waive farm loans, pay crop loss compensation, open goshalas and arrange for fodder on a war footing. He also urged the Chief Minister to come out with a detailed proposal of the extent of assistance being sought.

November 13th, 2016

CM has benefitted close to 1K-Cr in Arkavathy scam: Shettar

Gangavathi: Jagadish Shettar, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly has accused that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah received Rs 1,000 crore kickback in the Arkavathy Layout denotification scam.

He made this accusation while speaking to journalists here on Friday, but gave few details. He said the chief minister had appointed his close aides and officials to crucial posts to ensure they minted money for him. He accused several ministers of being corrupt and claimed that the Chief Minister and some officials were trying to hush up their “scandals”.

The BJP leader also claimed that to “cover up” the “wrongdoings” of officials like T N Chikkarayappa and S C Jayachandra, the government entrusted their cases to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for investigation.

December 17th, 2016

CM’s announcements on police promotions a routine: Shettar

Mangalore: Jagadish Shettar termed announcement of promotions to 11000-odd policemen as a continuation of the government's apathy towards (WO) men in khaki.

The government is continuing its escapist attitude to legitimate demands of the state's police force and taking shelter behind the pay commission constituted by it, Shettar noted.

Shettar said the promotions (police constable onwards up to PSIs and other posts) would have happened even otherwise. The government is adopting a half-hearted approach towards police welfare and has now tied down their wage revision to the recommendations of the pay commission. "If the government so wished, it could have announced a special package," he added.

Pointing that he had raised this very issue during discussion on the law and order situation in Karnataka, in the just concluded session of the legislature at Belgavi, Shettar said the government had parried the issue even there without giving any conclusive reply.

When pointed such a move by the government could have led to similar demands from other government employees, Shettar said policemen were denied when other government employees got a raise last time.

December 8th, 2016

Reversal of Order on Kappatagudda forest to help private firms: Shettar

The government had issued a notification in 2015 by declaring parts of Kappatagudda as conservation reserve going by the ecological aspects. However, on November 4, 2016, the notification was withdrawn to help mining company Baldota group and Encorn power generating company.

He said Ramgad Minerals of Baldota group intends to take up mining activities including gold deposit exploration. The company has submitted an application to the government in this regard. While withdrawing the notification, the government should have sought the Supreme Court’s permission. But this process has not been followed.

“Siddaramaiah had told the delegation that on the recommendation of the Wildlife Board, the notification was withdrawn. The Chief Minister himself is on the board, how can he give such an answer? .We demand the government to reconsider its decision,” he added.

He also said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil, who is from Gadag, is not opposing the move to allow mining. Kappatagudda spreads over taluks of Ron, Gadag and Mundargi.

December 7th, 2016

Red-tapism still a hurdle for development: Shettar

Hubli: Procedural hurdles and red-tapism are still major hurdles for new investments and expansion plans of major industries in the State said Shettar speaking at the inauguration ceremony of INCOMEX-2016 in Hubli.

Mr. Shettar said that although a single-window system had been put in place, it had hardly made any difference resulting in delays in investment plans.

Airports played a pivotal role in industrial development and North Karnataka only has two functional airports. While Hubballi had made its place on the country’s air map, Bidar, despite having an airport, can’t have regular flight services due to technical issues, mentioned Mr. Shettar.

He said the State government should have talks with the company GVK, so as to arrive at an understanding that would facilitate flight operations from Bidar.

December 4th, 2016

Shettar condemns govt’s measure to open 900 new liquor shops

Bangalore: "When the state is in the midst of severe drought, opening 900 liquor shops will only push the people into further debt traps. While people are seeking drinking water, the government is giving them liquor to quench their thirst." Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar quipped.

BJP members took the government to task for "pushing the people into more debts" by opening liquor shops in every constituency at a time when the state is reeling under drought.

HY Meti’s reply that MSIL shops will address the issue of middlemen fleecing the citizens with higher pricing of liquor was strongly condemned by the BJP party members.

Opposition members claimed the government is fixing a target for the excise department to generate revenue and therefore, issuing licenses for even private liquor shops.

November 23th, 2016

Shettar demands for report on violent incidents in Mahadayi stir be made public

Belgavi: “Let us know what their reports say about the arrests and police lathi charges on women and elderly" Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar said in the Assembly

About 82 cases have been booked following the violent protest against the rejection of Karnataka’s plea for release of 7.56 tmcft for drinking water projects. A team, headed by Additional Director General of Police Raghavendra Auradkar and Director of Prosecution, was formed to look into the authenticity of the cases, while ADGP Kamal Pant was appointed by the government to probe into the alleged police excesses during the protests.

Demanding immediate release of “innocents” booked after violent protests that rocked northern parts of Karnataka in July, Shettar said “Innocents are still under arrest. Make the report by Auradkar (Raghavendra Auradkar) and Kamal Pant public.”

Shettar intervened while Home Minister G Parameshwara was replying to a query during question hour on the arrests made following the Mahadayi protest and reaffirmed his voice stating “government should have the will”.

November 22nd, 2016

The govt should publish white paper on the funds released and utilized to handle drought: Shettar

Belgavi: Alleging that the state government has completely failed in tackling drought, opposition leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar demanded the state government to publish a white paper on how much fund has been released and spent on drought relief works.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the drought affected areas, Shettar, said while hundreds of villages in Belgavi district are facing acute shortage of drinking water; only one village is being supplied with tanker water. The government has not yet set up fodder banks and Goshala in the district.

"These are the information provided by the officials. It shows how negligent the state government is,'' he added.

He said that the state government has claimed that it has set up 7,000 safe drinking water units across the state. But in reality, most of them are not functioning. The multi village schemes have also failed

Referring to chief minister Siddaramaiah's statement that the state government will waive off farm loans if the Centre shares 50% of the burden, Shettar, said, "We have been asking him to give us the data on how much loan the farmers have availed so that we can put pressure on the Centre. But till today we have not got the data."

Printing textbooks before putting the draft to public debates or taking recommendations is an incomprehensible move: Shettar

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar has criticized the State government for printing the revised textbooks in a hurry without waiting for the recommendations of the committee headed by writer Baragur Ramachandrappa.

He said that the committee was yet to submit even a draft report.

Such being the case, it was incomprehensible why the government was taking up printing of textbooks.

“It seems the government is printing them to incorporate its hidden agenda ... if the government has the copy of the report, let it first make it public,” he said. The government should first obtain the report and place it before the public and facilitate a threadbare debate on its recommendations.

Lokayukta selection: Shettar says Act needs amendment

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar has said that there was a need to amend the Lokayukta Act to make the selection process more transparent.

Shettar alleged that the State government was deliberately recommending the names of judges having a “dubious past” for the post of the Lokayukta.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Shettar said that the government was doing so to keep the post vacant to suit its convenience. The government somehow wanted to make the institution of anti-corruption defunct by prolonging the appointment of a head and repealing the power of the Lokayukta police.

“It appears that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may have anticipated that the Governor would reject the name of P. Vishwanath Shetty because of Mr. Shetty’s ‘past’,” he said

Though names of Mr. Shetty, Anand Byrareddy and S.K. Patil were recommended for the post, the Chief Minister chose to recommend the name of Mr. Shetty. “The Chief Minister should have submitted the name finalized by a majority of the members of the high-level committee; if he does not do so, then what is the use of convening a meeting,” he asked.

BJP will support government on Kambala ordinance: Shettar

Former Chief Minister and leader of the opposition Jagadish Shettar on Saturday said the BJP will support the Karnataka government in its effort to get the ban on Kambala lifted, even as he questioned the wisdom of banning rural sports like jallikattu and Kambala.

Shettar said BJP legislators will support the proposed ordinance and they'll help the government to get it passed in both Houses.

At the Jatra Mahotsava in Suttur, he said “the courts don't intervene to stop slaughter of cows but have stepped in to ban jallikattu and Kambala which go back centuries. Jallikattu and Kambala are rural sports which also have a religious significance. They should not be banned as they don't pose any threat. Youths participate in these sports which put their physical strength to test. Banning Kambala is curtailing people from observing religious practices.”

He questioned the NGOs on their silence about cow slaughter and said they moved courts to stop cruelty to animals. The courts should factor in religious sentiments attached to rural sports.