'Discussion initiated with Congress on Council Chairman election'

Hubli, Feb 18 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yadiyurappa said today that discussion will be initiated to pursue the Congress members of the legislature to participate in the session.

Congress has been stalling the proceedings of the legislature since beginning of the Session on January 25 demanding immediate election to fill Legislative Council Chairman post.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Yediyurappa said that he along with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy were ready to discuss with the members. ''I do not know whether they (Congressmen) were afraid of participating in the session as they have failed to fulfill the promises they made to the people while in power''.

He said the budget estimates for the year 2007-08 will be tabled in the state assembly on March 16.

He said that in the budget more stress woud be given for implementation of Dr Nanjundappa committee report on Regional imbalance. ''I will personally give more stress for developing 37 taluks mentioned in the report by Dr Nanjundappa committee'', he added.

Replying to a question, he said finance secretary would be appointed soon.

Assereting that 37 irrigation schemes which were incompleted and pending for the past 10 to 12 years would be completed by March this year, the Deputy Chief Minister said action would be initiated to acquire the encroached area of tanks, to felicitate irrigation in about 17 lakh hectares in the state.

Mr Yadiyurappa, who announced release of Rs 50 crore for the third stage of drinking water to the twin city of Hubli-Dharwad as Mahashivaratri gift, said a special grant of Rs 12 crore would be provided befdore March 16, to improve Indira Glass House and roads in the twin city.

UNI