Ktaka CM inaugurates new Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday inaugurated the new Karnataka Bhavan building, 'Kaveri', in Delhi's Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave.
The project, which was first approved in 2019, saw its cost rise to approximately Rs 140 crore under successive state governments.
The new structure replaces the 50-year-old Karnataka Bhavan building that was declared unsafe by the New Delhi Municipal Council. Originally known as Mysore House, it was renamed Karnataka Bhavan in 1973.
The chief minister said his government wants to provide better facilities.
"(Congress president Mallikarjun) Kharge said in the new building, the chief minister's room is good but not the MLA rooms. We will keep in mind your suggestion. We will look into it seriously," the CM said during his inaugural address.
Siddaramaiah noted that the state government would consider providing better rooms with sitting areas at the two other Karnataka Bhavans in Delhi.
He emphasised on better coordination between the Centre and state, as both frame laws in the concurrent list, adding, "Without state development, the Centre cannot develop."
The CM explained that although the project was approved in 2019 with a two-year completion timeline, it ultimately took seven years, with delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kharge, who also serves as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, recalled staying at Karnataka Bhavan in Room number 1 for nine months during his tenure as labour minister at the Centre. He noted that while the new building has 42 rooms with better accommodations for ministers compared to MLAs, he has suggested improvements for the latter.
The Congress president also stressed the importance of maintaining food quality in the canteen and proper building upkeep.
He emphasised the need for a display board detailing the building's history, including the foundation stone laid by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1963 and its inauguration by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during S Nijalingappa's term as chief minister.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who arrived late to the ceremony, said he would address the changes proposed by Kharge. Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi mentioned that the state government is working to acquire land to build accommodations for UPSC aspirants from Karnataka.
Before the inauguration, CM Siddaramaiah met Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss pending state projects.
Karnataka MPs Jairam Ramesh and Sudha Murthy, state Ministers K H Muniappa, K N Rajanna, H C Mahadevappa, Karnataka's Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad, and Special Representative to Delhi T B Jayachandra were among those who attended the event.
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Dhoni is still going strong: CSK head coach Fleming quashes Dhoni's retirement speculation
Chennai, Apr 5 (PTI): Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said MS Dhoni is “still going strong” and putting an end to the former skipper’s run in the IPL is not a role assigned to him.
The presence of Dhoni’s parents -- Pan Singh and Devaki Devi -- at the Chepauk for CSK’s match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday had fuelled speculation about an imminent his retirement.
“No, that's not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I'm just enjoying working with him. He's still going strong. I don't even ask these days. You guys are the ones that ask (about retirement),” said Fleming in the post-match press conference.
The decision to send Dhoni at No. 9 attracted heavy criticism but on Saturday the legendary cricketer walked out at No. 7 but struggled to gain any momentum during his 26-ball 30 as CSK lost the match by 25 runs, their third straight defeat.
Fleming did not see Dhoni coming in the 11th over as a damage limitation move and said batting at that stage was really tough.
“The intent was there. When he went out, I think the ball started to grip a little bit more. We understood it was going to be good for the first half and then gradually get slower. So, we were keen to bat and then take pace with the ball.
“They did it really well. Vijay Shankar struggled to get timings all the way through his innings. But that period from 12 to 16 overs was difficult for all. It was tough to watch and certainly tough to be out there. So the game was just slipping away, and even with intent and different methods to do it, it was just too big a scale,” said Fleming.
However, Fleming admitted that CSK need to produce better outings with the bat, and they have not really exploited the resources in their ranks.
“We are focusing still very hard on bowling-wise to restrict teams but we do need to be better with the bat. We need to have one or two players in form, predominantly the top three or four.
“We need a bit more production there, and that then allows the power hitters to finish off to come in at the right spots. Here, we’re having to introduce players just not quite at the right time.
“We've got Dube as well, who's close, but just not quite getting the job done. So there are thereabouts, but six to 20 to 15-run losses are annoying,” he noted.
Badani pats Rahul
Delhi Capitals’ senior batter KL Rahul did not allow CSK left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad to settle down, and DC head coach Hemang Badani said it played a big role in his side’s win.
“Rahul was clear enough that he was not going to let Noor settle down because he felt that Noor was somebody who was a crucial bowler for CSK.
“And he wanted to make sure that once you put the opposition's best bowler down, it becomes difficult for the opposition to keep coming back after that.”
Rahul opened the innings for DC against CSK much against his middle-order slot in recent times, and Badani said the right-hander has the experience to tackle such shuffles.
“He is somebody who has been around long enough to understand the need of the hour. He has opened for India. He has batted at 4-5 in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. So I genuinely don't think it's difficult for someone of his calibre.
“If I had to make someone else do that, then I completely get your point that it's not easy for a batter to shift. But I think he has got the calibre, the mindset, the understanding of the game to go up the order or bat at number 4,” said Badani.
