Karnataka Cong meeting on Jan 10 to discuss LS poll preparations: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Saturday said a meeting of party legislators and leaders has been called on January 10 to discuss preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.
The party has already set a target of winning at least 20 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the forthcoming general elections.
"On January 10, a meeting of legislators, AICC Secretary, state vice-presidents and general secretaries has been called to discuss the way ahead, after that I'm calling a meeting of our block presidents, and we will make our preparations," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said he will be travelling to Delhi on January 4 along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
"There is a party meeting in Delhi, they (central leadership) are going to give guidelines regarding candidates for Parliamentary elections. Our Ministers have already given a report regarding the probable candidates (from respective segments), a survey has to be done about them. To discuss it a meeting has been called," he added.
The BJP had swept 2019 Lok Sabha polls by winning 25 out of 28 seats in the state, while an independent supported by it won one seat. The Congress and JD(S) won just one seat each.
Noting that the appointment of party legislators to key posts in state-run boards and corporations are likely to happen any soon, Shivakumar in response to a question said, an equal number of party workers will be appointed to these posts within fifteen days, probably by Sankranti.
"The list is by and large ready...the Delhi leadership is also getting the report with respect to people who were promised. It will be done," he added.
Responding to a question on 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme announced by him, the DCM, who is also in-charge of Bengaluru development, said "Instead of people coming to to my doorstep or the CM's, we plan to go to the doorstep of the people by clubbing two or three constituencies together, we will travel in all 28 constituencies (in Bengaluru) and resolve all issues concerning the people there, whether it is related to water or khata, police, BESCOM (power supply company), corporation, or five guarantee schemes."
"We will invite all legislators and MPs to be part of it," he added.
The grievance redressal programme is expected to be held for a period of 10 days starting from January 3.
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Karnataka Minister Muniyappa to hold meeting to resolve Auto LPG supply issue
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday said that he will call a meeting on April 10 aimed at resolving the Auto LPG supply issue in the state.
He also said that private oil companies had hiked LPG prices for vehicles, leading to long queues at public sector stations.
Bengaluru and several other places in the state are witnessing disruption in auto services, hit by a shortage of Auto LPG. Long queues of autos are seen outside fuel stations at many places.
On Monday, the minister met with representatives of auto drivers' associations and heard their concerns.
"We are aware that auto drivers are in distress. Around 3,000 Auto LPG cylinders are being supplied by the central government daily, but private suppliers have increased the price, which is causing inconvenience to auto drivers. I will immediately call a meeting to resolve the issue," Muniyappa, who holds Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs portfolios, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The government supplies approximately 3,000 Auto LPG cylinders daily. The private companies also supply equal numbers of cylinders. I have learned that private companies have increased the prices. I will speak to the concerned officials."
"On April 10, I will call a meeting and try to solve the issue. Auto drivers' lives depend on these LPG supplies, so I will try to resolve the issue on a priority basis," he said, adding that private companies representatives, union government officials, Indian Oil Corporation coordinators, police and senior state government officials will also be called for the meeting.
According to official sources, PSU-operated outlets, including those of IOC, are retailing Auto LPG at around Rs 89.52 per litre in Bengaluru, whereas private marketers are selling between Rs 99 and Rs 105 per litre. This difference has led to a significant shift in customer preference toward PSU-operated Auto LPG Dispensing Stations (ALDS), resulting in increased footfall and longer wait times at these stations.
Stating that the situation is serious as the war is on in West Asia, the minister sought cooperation from everyone.
"The energy or fuel crisis is there across the world. If the Centre had planned to get the energy supplies from Russia a month in advance, this situation would not have arisen. Things have happened now. Let's try and resolve the issues," he added.
