Special Session failed to respond to grievences

Bangalore, Sept 30: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee(KPCC) President Mallikarjun Kharge today alleged that the Special Session of the Legislature, which concluded yesterday in border City of Belgaum, failed to fulfill the aspirations of North Karnataka people.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that "of course we are satisfied to the extent that we held a session to send strong signal about unity on border issue but the government has failed in achieving the main purpose of removing regional imbalance and responding to the needs of North Karnataka people ".

"Neither there was any package announced for removal of regional imbalance as per Dr Nanjundappa Committee report nor any special announcement made for development of the North Karnataka Region.

Special Package should have been announced by the government", he added.

He said that the only achievement of the session was government got passed the supplementary budget besides passing some other bills.

Thanking the Centre for announcing Rs 16,978 Crore package for four States, including Rs 2689 Crore for Karnataka, Mr Kharge said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have responded positively to the memorandum submitted by the Congress delegation last month. Moreover, the package announcement has put an end to criticism that UPA government was differenting in sanction of funds for relief works, he added.

Alleging that the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government in the State has completely failed to address the plight of people in the drought affected and flood hit areas of the State, Mr Kharge said that the Centre has so far released Rs 250 Crore for taking up relief works. Besides the Centre has also sanctioned Rs 158 Crore unspent and returned to it for the relief works.

He said that altogether, besides package announced yesterday, the State has at its disposal Rs 408 Crore for taking up relief works in the affected villages. "But how far this government utilise it is a big question mark, since it has announced in the Assembly session about formation of Task Forces at Taluk level only yesterday."

UNI

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