No compromise on language, land, water issues: Karnataka

Mangalore, Sep 16 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today asserted that the state Government will never compromise on its language, land and water.

Addressing a press conference here, he exuded confidence that the Belgaum border row with neighbouring Maharashtra would be settled soon and said the Mahajan Commission's report on the issue was final. Claiming that the issue was being politicised by the Maharashtra Government for political gains, he said it was in this background, the Government had decided to hold its joint session of Legislature in Belgaum.

Referring to the objections raised by the Andhra Pradesh and Goa Governments on the Kalasa Banduri Project, he said there was no controversy surrounding the project as it was a drinking water project. Several delegations from Karnataka have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and apprised him of the project. A date for laying the foundation for the project would be fixed next week.

Mr Yediyurappa said that following the ''lacklustre attitude'' of some district administrations and district police in containing the naxalite manace, the Chief Minister and himself had instructed the authorities of naxal-infested districts to not only deal sternly with the extremists, but also intensify development activities in those areas.

Earlier, inaugurating a national seminar on 'Rethinking of Legal Education,' organised by SDM Law College here, he said the Government was keen to bring in some amendments to present laws to suit the present needs in the context of a globalised era. There was also a need to change the age-old curriculum of legal studies in the wake of globalisation and advancement of information in all areas.

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