North Karnataka development is my responsibility: CM
Bengaluru, July 31: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that he would visit the districts in North Karnataka after a week as it was his responsibility to develop the region.
Speaking at the meeting of the activists of North Karnataka region at Vidhana Soudha here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that the BJP leaders would speak about North Karnataka till Lok Sabha election. It was a BJP strategy to win the Lok Sabha election. They were not in a position to digest his works done in just two months as the CM. He held a meeting with the farmers leaders of all the 30 districts. But BJP state president and Opposition Leader Yeddyurappa did not attend that meeting. Now, he was supporting the swamijis who have been fighting for separate North Karnataka state, he alleged.
Everyone would speak about separate North Karnataka. Where would you bring money for development if North Karnataka was made a separate state? Separate North Karnataka state was not possible, the CM said.
However, the agitators said that they were ready to work. But there was no sufficient power. The region was lagging in medical facilities. Many people from this region had become ministers. But it was lagging behind in development. The voice favouring separate state was not against this government. They have been fighting for this demand for a long time. The Suvarna Vidhana Soudha of Belagavi was inactive. At least for the administrative purpose, it should be revived, they demanded.
Later, Kumaraswamy told media persons that he had spent more time for North Karnataka in his village stay programme. He had stayed in total 35 villages. He had constructed Suvarna Vidhana Soudha at a cost of Rs 450 crore and conducted Sessions. He had decided to declare Belagavi as the second capital of the state. But the next governments did not take it into consideration. During 20-month tenure of his administration, he had given more importance to north Karnataka. The people of north Karnataka had shown love and affection on him. Of course, the JDS does not have its base in north Karnataka. He had asked majority to waive off the farm loans completely. But now, with 37 seats, he had formed the government with the Congress, he reiterated.
He had given funds to all divisions in the Budget. He had waived of Rs 6500 crore farm loans this time and reserved Rs 1000 crore for Bengaluru roads. But right from the first day, he was being counter attacked and tarnishing his image accusing him as he was against north Karnataka, which is not true, he said.
“I have to waive of Rs 4000 crore farm loan announced by the previous government. Recently, I have released Rs 1500 crore. This year, total Rs 18,000 crore farm loan would be waived off. In nationalized banks, there was Rs 37,000 crore loan along with the interest. I have just asked as to why you people are forgetting me during election time. I have not scolded the farmers. Now, the farmers leaders have been protesting against me. If I say anything, media people would write something. For this, I have introspected myself”.
- HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister
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Rains lash several parts of Tamil Nadu, cyclonic storm brewing
Chennai (PTI): Rains lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, and the India Meteorological Department said the depression over Bay of Bengal has formed into a deep depression and it is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on November 27.
Chief Minister M K Stalin chaired a high-level meeting here at the Secretariat to review the precautionary measures and rushed NDRF and State teams to Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore districts.
Chennai and nearby districts of Chengelpet, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, the northern coastal city of Cuddalore and Cauvery delta areas, including Nagapattinam were among the places that received rainfall, which was mild to moderate in many areas and heavy in a few places.
Due to the rains, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed here in many areas including the arterial OMR Road and traffic flow was affected in several areas as roads came under sheets of water. Also, in Chennai, there was delay in the landing of 7 flights.
State-run Aavin said it has taken all steps to ensure unhindered milk supply to the people and announced that eight of its parlours here will be open 24 x 7.
Stalin, through video conferencing, reviewed the action plan to tackle the situation. Very heavy rainfall forecast covers the districts of Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Cuddalore. District collectors and IAS officials, tasked with monitoring and coordinating rain-related tasks took part in the meeting.
Collectors apprised the chief minister that adequate number of relief camps and medical teams were on standby and all other necessary arrangements were in place too. Stalin told officials that relief centres must be 'ready with all the amenities' and people should be evacuated in advance from low lying areas.
An official release here said that two NDRF teams have been dispatched to Thanjavur district. For each of the districts of Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagappatinam and Cuddalore, two teams ---one from NDRF and the other from the State-- have been dispatched.
Also in such districts, first-responders and volunteers are also ready for deployment. "Already, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea and a majority of boats have returned to shore."
As regards fishermen who have gone for deep sea fishing, they have been informed to move to the nearest harbours.
The state and district level emergency operation centres are functioning 24 x 7.
Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, KKSSR Ramachandran, Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and top state officials participated in the meeting chaired by the chief minister.
According to the IMD, the depression over Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression and it is about 770 km south-southeast of Chennai and 570 km south-southeast of Nagapattinam.
In its update, the IMD said on 'X': "It is very likely to continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm on 27th November. Thereafter, it will continue to move north-northwestwards towards Tamil Nadu coast skirting Sri Lanka coast during subsequent 2 days."
