Karnataka urge Centre to clear pending projects

New Delhi, Apr 7: A two-day silver jubilee national conference of Kannada-speaking people here has urged the Centre to clear all Karnataka's pending projects, protect the legitimate interests of the state in Cauvery waters and recognise Kannada as a classical language.

The conference, organised by Dehali Kannadiga, a monthly magazine, urged the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad to run a Garib Rath between Delhi and Bangalore, implement Hubli Akola railway line project to link the mineral-rich hinterland to the port and introduce a passenger ship service between Mangalore and Mumbai. The Government should recognise Kodava and Tulu languages and provide all help and assistance to save the culture, a resolution adopted in the conference, urged.

In the conference, Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan was accorded Silver Jubilee award and it turned out to be his last official meeting before he demitted his office. Mr Rajasekharan's Rajya Sabha membership is coming to an end tomorrow.

Vijaya Bank Chairman Prakash P Mallya was given Best Banker Award in the conference, presided over by former Syndicate Bank Chairman K K Pai.

UNI