BJP to set up Budget Implementation Monitoring Committees

Bangalore, Mar 26 (UNI) The ruling coalition partner in Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will set up Budget Implementation Monitoring Committees to oversee implementation of welfare schemes announced in the Budget, new president of the party's state unit D V Sadananda Gowda informed today.

Addressing his maiden press conference after taking over charge yesterday, he said the Committees to be formed at taluk levels would monitor implementation of the promises made in the state budget for 2006-07 and come out with suitable suggestions to ensure that the schemes meant for poor and downtrodden reached them.

He said a change need to be brought about in the mental attitude of the party workers since the BJP, which had been in the opposition for several years, had come to power in the state for the first time joining hands with the Janata Dal (S).

To a question, Mr Sadananda Gowda denied that there was groupism in the party. ''There may be difference of opinion to some extent, but definitely not groupism as propagated by some parties. The differences are mainly due to communication gap and it will be set right.'' He alleged that the Congress was raising a hue and cry in the state for no reason after losing power. ''The Congress should behave as a true opposition in the House,'' he added.

To another question, the BJP President said he would take a decision on having a new set of office bearers after studying the existing one for a month. ''If they adjust to my speed I may not go in for a change.'' Stating that the BJP was not against decentralisation of power, he said ''There should not be centralisation of power in the name of decentralisation. Power should be with people and elected representatives. Bureaucrats should not dictate terms.'' UNI MSP RG MSJ BS1633