Dharam describes Belgaum session as 'fair'

Gulbarga, Oct 2 (UNI) Former Karnatka Chief Minister and leader of opposition Dharam Singh today said the state government, which had conducted joint sessions of the legislature in Belgaum city earlier this week, had failed to send a clear message to the Maharashtra government on the border row.

Speaking to newspersons here he said the government was allowing Maharashtra Ekikarana Samithi (MES) to hold convention and parallel assembly sessions in Belgaum in which the neighbouring state's Deputy Chief Minister had participated.

The Belgaum session was nothing but a 'fair' and the government had failed to achieve anything from it. The government should send a message that was loud and clear that Belgaum belonged to Karnataka and Mahajan report on the border issue was final.

Referring to JDS-UPA government's plan to bring a legislation to implement Nanjundappa Committee report for development of Hyderabad Karnataka region, he said there was no need for such a legislation.

The previous Congress led government under his leadership had urged the centre to provide 50 per cent of funds recommended by the committee to be spent on development of the region as central grant.

Sadly the present coalition government was not pursuing the matter at the centre, he alleged.

He said the office profit bill was passed in a hurry in the assembly only to enable legislators be appointed as heads of boards and corporations.

On statement of Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa regarding winding up of all regional development boards, he demanded that government should consult the opposition before taking such decision. At present there was no need to close the boards, he said.

Commenting on controversial Sobha Yatra, Mr Singh said the government should go as per the high court orders and ensure that there should be no law and order problem.

UNI DP RS RL BD1940