“No political agenda behind meeting JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda,” clarifies Satish Jarkiholi
Bengaluru: Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi clarified on Friday that there was no political motive behind the recent meeting with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. He stated that the discussions held were purely related to developmental issues.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Jarkiholi said that the visits of Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and V. Somanna were pre-planned, while Deve Gowda’s meeting was incidental. “My office is located on the way to Parliament, and I met him there casually,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the Hassan highway issue was supposed to be discussed with H.D. Revanna, but the meeting couldn’t take place as Revanna had already proceeded to meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
Jarkiholi firmly denied any discussion on the recent "honey trap" controversy during the Delhi visit. “There is no need to go to New Delhi to file political complaints,” he said, dismissing speculation about political undercurrents.
Speaking on coalition rumors, he reiterated that with the Congress holding 138 MLAs, there is no question of seeking support from the JD(S) or H.D. Kumaraswamy. “Just like Somanna, Kumaraswamy also met Prahlad Joshi. As for Belagavi airport, work has stalled, and discussions were held to expedite the project,” he added.
He further noted that he had met several senior Congress leaders, including K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, during the Delhi visit. “It is normal to meet party leaders and consult with them while in New Delhi. There is nothing unusual about it,” he said.
When asked about his political ambitions, Jarkiholi made a cryptic remark:, “I am not an aspirant for the Chief Minister's post. Siddaramaiah is already the CM. My time will come in 2028. Even if we get a chance during a traffic jam in Majestic, might take it,” he added.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
