Govt neglecting North Karnataka: Moily

Hubli, Sep 9: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Administration Reforms Commission Chairman M Veerappa Moily today accused the JD(S)-BJP coalition government of totally neglecting North Karnataka region. Addressing a press conference here, he said that even the funds released by the Union government under various programmes were misutilised by the government using the funds as MLAs funds. Not a single project, including drinking water projects, irrigation projects and road were taken up though the center was ready to assist for these, he alleged.

Even for releasing funds to the tune of Rs 2,200 crore as per Dr Nanjundappa committee report on Regional Imbalance there was only 'lip sympathy' from the coalition government, he added.

Mr Moily alleged that the government was busy in giving permission to mining lobbies but was not ready to even consider the proposal of Kudremukh Iron Ore Limited, a public sector company that it be allowed to take up mining, which could have fetched much money to the state exchequer.

He claimed that the state's treasury was full following the nearly 60 per cent implementation of the report of tax reforms committee headed by him.

Replying to a question, Mr Moily said the Governor should not approve the proposed amendment to Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Act, which would be against the 73rd amendment of the constitution.

To another question, he said Administration Reforms Committee has already submitted five reports to the Center and were being considered for implementation soon by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Commission would also be submitting another two reports in another fortnight, he added.

In 1961 the HKES, with the 'permission' of the officers, had shifted to the engineering college compound promising the upkeep of the vintage aircraft. However, it went missing in 2002. Speaking to UNI