Koshyari should speak to Karnataka Guv over Belgaum dispute: Sena
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Monday said Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari should speak to his Karnataka counterpart in "strong words" about the alleged "atrocities" committed against Marathi-speaking people in the Belgaum district of the southern state.
An editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' also targeted Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi's reported remark that Belgaum will continue to be a part of Karnataka till the sun and moon exist.
It said the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka (over Belgaum and other border areas) is pending before the Supreme Court, which will not pass its judgment looking at whether the sun and moon exist in the sky or not.
Maharashtra claims Belgaum, part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency but currently a district of Karnataka, on linguistic grounds.
On Sunday, Maharashtra cabinet ministers sported black ribbons to express solidarity with Belgaum's Marathi-speaking people, who observe the foundation day of Karnataka on November 1 as "black day".
The 'Saamana' editorial alleged that "brutal attacks" are being made on Marathi people, language, and culture in the areas concerned in Karnataka for the past 60-odd years, and the observation of 'black day' is a reaction to that.
It said except for the Belgaum dispute, the two states enjoy stronger social, cultural, and trade ties between them compared to other states, but the "brutal manner" in which Karnataka has been treating 20 lakh Marathi-speaking people there causes anger.
"The governor of Maharashtra should speak to his Karnataka counterpart in strong words about these atrocities. At least, he should try to help the Belgaum delegation get the appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," it said.
The editorial further said ministers like Savadi should not forget that lakhs of people hailing from Karnataka are doing business and living happily in Maharashtra.
Referring to Maharashtra ministers sporting black ribbons on Sunday, the editorial said had leaders of the BJP and other parties in the state joined the protest, it would have highlighted the state's unity on the issue to Karnataka politicians.
Without naming BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and Pravin Darekar, it said at least the leaders of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and Council could have sported black ribbons to honor "sentiments of the people".
The BJP is in power in Karnataka and if "atrocities" are being committed against Marathi brothers there, then the hearts of the party's leaders in Maharashtra "must soak in tears", the editorial said.
"Why it did not happen, only they know...it has been published that (Maharashtra BJP chief) Chandrakant Dada Patil said Belgaum and other villages of Marathi-speaking people must be incorporated in Maharashtra. Thanking Patil for saying that!" the Sena publication said.
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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.
