Rs 10 crore for Lalbagh; Shivakumar says tunnel road won’t affect garden
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday announced an allocation of Rs 10 crore for the development of Lalbagh in Bengaluru, while rejecting claims that six acres of the garden would be acquired for the tunnel road project.
Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in charge of Bengaluru Development, assured that the tunnel road project would not affect Lalbagh.
Lalbagh, spread over 240 acres, is one of Bengaluru’s major attractions, housing a collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including trees that are several centuries old.
"I had a fruitful discussion with walkers and citizens. Heard their grievances and suggestions. We have decided to allocate Rs 10 crore for the development of Lalbagh. As part of that, we have decided to set up a gym to suit the elderly and women," Shivakumar told reporters here.
Speaking after interacting with walkers and citizens as part of the ‘Bengaluru nadige’ (Bengaluru walk) programme and inspecting the tunnel road entry spot, he added, "We have decided to make a doctor and an ambulance available at Lalbagh from morning to evening. The toilets at Lalbagh will be made free from now on."
The deputy CM said he would consult Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and officials to form tree parks in forested areas of the city on the lines of Lalbagh. "We will also give financial assistance for this," he added.
Stating that the 'Bengaluru Nadige' programme would continue, Shivakumar said he will visit all major parks under the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to hear public grievances and suggestions.
On the tunnel road project, he said there was no need for six acres of Lalbagh land as claimed.
"One to 1.5 acres near the parking area at the border of the park will be used for storing equipment needed for tunnel work. It will be restored later. The entry point will be provided towards the Ashoka pillar bordering Lalbagh. There won’t be any damage to Lalbagh due to the tunnel road project," he said.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar alleged that the BJP "was not interested in Bengaluru’s development but only in politics."
"They could have expressed their opinions and suggestions in the first GBA meeting on Friday, but they chose to abstain. If they object to GBA, let them boycott elections," he added.
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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."
