Meeting of urban development ministers of South India in Bengaluru on Oct 30: D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that Union Urban Development Minister Manoharlal Khattar has agreed to hold the meeting of Urban development ministers of South Indian states in Benglauru on October 30.
While speaking to reporters, he also said that a memorandum on Bengaluru development will be submitted to Khattar during the meeting.
"We have already submitted our appeals to Union ministers and the PM several times in the past," Shivakumar said while responding to a question about whether they would put pressure on funds for Bengaluru development.
Giving out details of areas that may be included in the GBA (Greater Bengaluru Authority), he said, "I have inspected areas which are likely to be added to GBA in the future. I have called for a meeting of officials to discuss this on Friday. A Committee under the leadership of B S Patil is preparing a report on this."
Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, said that the government will hold meetings with IT-BT companies after winding up the "Walk with Bengaluru" programme this weekend.
"We will hold the company meetings in K R Pura and Mahadevapura constituencies. There are about 25 lakh people on the periphery of GBA currently and we will need to include them to GBA. We will need to ensure adequate developmental works in these areas. I visited these areas as I wanted to get a first-hand idea," he added.
When asked about the deadline for pothole filling approaching, he said, "The officials have been given responsibilities and they are doing their job. In some places, we are asphalting the entire stretches of roads. Rains are affecting the schedule."
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.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
