New Delhi/Bengaluru, May 11: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has responded positively regarding transfer of 700 acres of land in Belagavi, which is currently under the control of the latter's ministry.

The state government needs this land for an IT park, which it intends to develop in Belagavi.

The issue was raised during the Chief Minister's meeting with the Defence Minister in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"About 700 acres of grassland in Belagavi is under the control of the Defence ministry. It actually belongs to the state government. We have appealed to transfer the land to the state government. Rajnath Singh has responded positively to the request," Bommai said.

The state government needs this land for the IT park, he said, adding, "So, we have requested the Defence Ministry to hand over the land".

The Union minister has stated that he would discuss the issue with officials concerned and take a decision," Bommai said.

Regarding extending the term of Sangolli Rayanna Military School in Belagavi, the Chief Minister said the Defence Minister has extended the term, and he has been invited to inaugurate the school.

Speaking to reporters, Bommai also said Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya has assured that there would not be any shortage in supply of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) and urea to Karnataka.

The CM had met Mandaviya on Tuesday and discussed about supply of fertilisers needed for Karnataka.

"I have conveyed the need for DAP and urea for the Kharif season. There were doubts about proper supply of ammonia and other fertilisers as there is a shortage in the international market," Bommai said.

"However, the Union Minister has assured that DAP would be made available. Transport arrangements need to be made once it reaches Karwar and Mangaluru ports," the CM added.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.