CM Siddaramaiah urges Gadkari to postpone bridge inaugural in Shivamogga
Bengaluru, Jul 13 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday urged Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari to postpone the inauguration of Sigandur bridge and foundation stone laying ceremony of infrastructure projects at Sagara taluk in Shivamogga on July 14, stating that he was not intimated in advance.
Citing his scheduled visit to Indi taluk in Vijayapura district, the CM in a letter to Gadkari said, it would have been more appropriate for MoRTH to have consulted with the state government before scheduling such a programme, and requested him to instruct the officials in this regard.
"It has come to my notice that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways along with National Highway Authority of India is organising "Dedication to Nation and Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony" Programme on 14th of July, 2025 in Nehru Field, Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District, and my name has also been printed in the draft invitation card. However, I have not been intimated about this programme in advance," Siddaramaiah said in his letter.
Noting that an inauguration programme of various developmental schemes is already scheduled under his Chairmanship in Indi taluka of Vijayapura district on the same day, he said it would have been more appropriate for MoRTH to have consulted with the state government before scheduling the state-level programmes.
"Therefore, I request you to instruct the department to co-ordinate with the state government while organising such programmes. Also, I request you to postpone this programme and provide me with a couple of dates convenient to you, so that I would be able to join you in this significant state level programme," he added.
Gadkari is scheduled to inaugurate "Sigandur Bridge", which is said to be India's second longest cable-stayed bridge between Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli in Sagara taluk on Monday.
The bridge has been built at a cost of Rs 473 crore and is 2.44 km long, official sources said.
Earlier in the day, Shivamogga district in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa told reporters, "I have not got an invitation officially, there is some confusion. I feel that the Chief Minister has been disrespected by the central government...."
Sagara Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said he too has not got any invitation and has no information.
He also hit out at Shivamogga BJP MP B Y Raghavendra for making it a party event.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
