Shettar demands white paper on HK region development initiatives

Charging that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is delivering mere 'bogus speech', Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar asked him to bring out a white paper on steps taken by the State Government for the development of Hyderabad Karnataka region which has received special status under Article 371(J).

"35,000 posts in Hyderabad Karnataka region are still vacant and youth are unemployed there. Let the government bring out a white paper on the amount spent for the development of the region, including education facilities," he said.

Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, Mr Shettar noted that preparations including appointment of tahsildars and arrangement of government offices is not yet made, though ministers are saying that 50 new taluks would be functional in January.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suddenly decided to hold Nava Karnataka Nirmana Yatra after the BJP's Yatra received overwhelming response. Even the name of BJP's Yatra is copied in CM's Yatra. He is now speaking about Nava Karnataka Nirmana and a dream for State's development. What he did in last four-and-a-half-years as the chief minister? Public money is being spent and government officials are being used to for Congress Party's campaigning. Instead, the chief minister should have concentrated on solving burning problems, if he had some concern about people, Mr Shettar said.

'Recall Nimbalkar'

"IGP (western range) Hemant Nimbalkar is acting like a Congress agent, and because of his maladministration, people of Uttara Kannada district experienced serious trouble after the death of Paresh Mesta at Honnavar, which was not taken seriously by the police. Later, police treated innocent people in Sirsi inhumanly, and cases under IPC Section 307 were booked against them. But, the court granted bail for them the next day, and it is a slap on the face of the State Government," Mr Shettar observed.

Mr Nimbalkar's wife is an active Congress worker, and is an aspirant for Congress ticket from Khanapur Assembly constituency. Mr Nimbalkar should be recalled from Uttara Kanada district, and an impartial police officer should be deputed there, he added, charging that the government itself is conspiring against Hindu workers.