K'taka CM gives freedom to mins to review BJP govt's calls

Bangalore, June 16:

Chief Minister

has reportedly given freedom to his ministers to review decisions taken by the previous BJP government towards the end of its term.

The government of Jagadish Shettar, the third BJP chief minister to take taken charge in the southern state inside five years, had taken a number of decisions, including land allotment to temples and educational bodies, before the May 5 assembly elections were announced.

The BJP was completely routed in the election.

Excise minister S L Jarikholi told journalists on Saturday that the chief minister had given all the ministers the freedom to review decisions taken by the previous saffron regime. He said a special fund will be set up to implement rehabilitation measures for those engaged in production of spurious liquor.

Jarikholi said 80 villages were identified in Bijapur, Gadag, Belgaum and Bagalkot districts where spurious liquor is manufactured and it was seen that most of the residents of these villagers belonged to deprived sections.

The minister said they will seek permission from the finance department to retain 1 per cent of annual revenue generated by it to set up the fund.

He said the excise department generates a revenue of Rs 12,000 a year and it will be used for thise who have no means of income after the destruction of the illicit liquor centres. Jarikholi has asked the officials to ensure that the state is freed from illicit liquor trade.

The department has set a target of generating Rs 12,400 crore for the 2013-14 fiscal. The revenue generated last fiscal was Rs 11,088 crore.

OneIndia News