Jun 27, 2010
ALMOST a month after completing two years in office, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and his BJP Government celebrated the event as a ``Sadhana Samavesha” or Performance Convention at the historic Bangalore Palace Grounds on Friday, June 25.
Daijiworld’s Special Correspondent in Bangalore, Gabriel Vaz, spoke to the Chief Minister on different occasions before the gala political bash, in which BJP’s opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj was the chief guest. It was Sushma Swaraj, who incidentally brokered peace with the all-powerful Bellary Reddy brothers when they raised the banner of revolt against Yeddyurappa in September last year and is, therefore, responsible for his continuation in the CM’s gaddi. Gabriel Vaz spoke to the Chief Minister on different occasions, including on Thursday, a day before the convention, on the sidelines of a Meet-the-Press programme jointly organized by the Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters’ Guild, when the controversy over Lok Ayukta Justice N Santhosh Hegde’s dramatic resignation, was a hot topic of discussion. Excerpts from these conversations:
Q. Is there anything that you would like to say on the timing of the resignation or about Justice Hegde apart from what you have already said at the Meet-the-Press programme…
A. I have the highest regard and respect for Justice Hegde. I know his ability, intellect, integrity, hard-work and honesty. I hold him in high esteem just as the people do. The resignation is totally unexpected and most unfortunate. I don’t want to say anything about the timing coming as it does on the eve of the Sadhana Samavesha and when the Legislature Session is due to meet from Monday, June 28. I am deeply pained and hurt by the entire incident. I have faced several challenges and Agni Parikshe (baptism of fire) during the last 2 years and have overcome them all by the grace of God, people’s support and blessings. I take this also as an Agni Parikshe.
Q. Is there any possibility of the government persuading Justice Hegde to withdraw the resignation?
A. I don’t think he would reconsider his decision, which he must have taken after serious deliberation. I think, this issue has provided an issue to the Opposition parties, which were struggling to find one. They will raise the issue in the Legislature. I will give complete details We have never done anything against the Lok Ayukta. On the charge that Upa Lok Ayukta’s post is vacant for almost 6 months, I agree that there is a slight delay. The government was pre-occupied with several issues. But the matter is under our serious consideration. The appointment will be done soon. But it is not as if the post has been vacant during our rule alone. It was vacant for 32 months from April 2002 to December 2004 and again for another 13 months from January 1991 till February 1992. The government has accepted all suggestions given by Justice Hegde from time to time, including when he met at a meeting convened by Chief Secretary S V Ranganth, including sanctioning of additional posts, additional special allowance and grant of bus passes to Lok Ayukta staff.
Q. What exactly is the correct position on the question of suo motu powers to Lok Ayukta? Will the government accept the demand? If so, when?
A. On Justice Hegde’s demand for grant of suo motu powers, let me clarify. My government has not withdrawn or curtailed any powers. The suo motu powers for instituting criminal proceedings against officers, who had been raided, were withdrawn in 1986. Successive governments in the past had formed cabinet sub-committees to study the issue and had not been able to take a decision for 24 years. I have an open mind on the issue. I am not ruling it out completely. It is under our active consideration. We have to study the pros and cons before taking a decision. It has to be discussed in the cabinet. A cabinet sub-committee is examining it. I can’t say when it will be taken.
Q. Can we say that the drive against corruption has died in Karnataka …
A. How can you say that? I have been trying to tone up and streamline the administration. Check red-tapism and put an end to corruption. My government believes in open and transparent administration. I will never go against the faith and trust reposed in me by the people. This is a government which does what it has promised. E-tendering, e-payment, plugging leakages and pilferages as well as streamlining administration to bring in transparency are our priorities.
Q. Coming to other issues, the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) held early this month in Bangalore attracted huge investments of over Rs 5 lakh crore. The investments were spread in almost all districts, except the coastal region. Why?
A. It is the investors who choose the location. However, the government is aware of the situation. We will try and persuade prospective investors to choose the coastal region. However, you must also accept the fact that there is a strong resistance from the local people to big industries, particularly from environmentalists. Big investments have come to Mangalore, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts in the past. The petro-chemical complex, gas terminal and special economic zone (SEZ) are coming up in the coastal region ---
Q. It is true that there is a strong resistance and opposition to SEZ in Mangalore. There is also opposition to land acquisition. What is the government’s stand on the issue?
A. The government is fully aware of the situation and the problems. At the same time, the coastal region has some special and distinctive advantages, which are absent in other districts. We need to strike a balance. We cannot blindly oppose industrialization and development merely because some people might be affected. Agriculture and industrialization must go hand in hand. We need industrialization to ensure that our youth get jobs and also for the development of the region. Land acquisition cannot be totally avoided. We can take steps to see that fertile agricultural land is not acquired. If 100 or 500 acres of dryland or non-cultivable land has to be acquired, a few acres of adjoining areas or small stretches of land in between will have to be acquired. The government will try to protect the interests of land-losers and provide them with attractive compensation and rehabilitation packages. We will hold discussions with all interest groups and opinion makers to convince them. If the people are adamant and insist on opposing at all costs, then we will have to think of alternative locations. We need to convince the people.
Q. Talking about the coastal region, the government has been insisting on taking up the Netravathi diversion scheme to benefit the people of Tumkur and other districts. But there is a strong resistance to the proposal. Even the Pejavar Swamiji and Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala have come out against the proposal. What is the government’s stand?
A. The government has to look after the interests of the entire state and not any one region. The Netravathi diversion scheme is proposed on the basis of expert advice and to utilise the excess and flood waters going waste into the Arabian Sea. I will discuss the issue with all concerned and convince them. The needs of other water-starved districts also must be taken into account. The government will ensure that the people of coastal region do not suffer.
Q. There is a sense of insecurity among the minorities, especially after the series of attacks against Churches in Mangalore, Udupi and other districts and also against Muslims….
A. Just because some sections created trouble, the government cannot be blamed. You must accept the fact that we controlled the situation and arrested all the key persons. They were sent to jail. We have no allowed recurrence of such incidents. The government has reports regarding the forces involved in the disturbances. We have evidence on the attempts by some sections to tarnish the image of the government. I can give you statistics about communal disturbances in the past not only in Karnataka but in other states as well, when Congress was in power. Also, you can compare the budgetary allocations by our government during the last 2 years for the development and welfare of minorities and by previous governments. The budgetary allocation during the last 2 years for the minority welfare is highest. I know a lot more needs to be done. The educational standards and economic conditions need to be improved, particularly among the Muslims. You will be surprised to know that minorities have started turning towards BJP, which is why our party has been winning elections and improving its vote share.
Q. Coming back to the Sadhana Samavesha, why this celebration almost a month after completing 2 years in office?
A. We were pre-occupied with one election after another and also the Global Investors’ Meet, which resulted in the delay. But does it really matter when we have the celebration? The real objective behind the celebration is to give our performance report to the people. We are doing it now before the commencement of the legislature session.
Q. The opposition parties have criticised for spending government money for projecting the ruling party’s image…
A. This is an official programme and not of the party. Of course, our party leaders and workers naturally take part. The government is not spending anything on transport. We are merely making arrangements for the pandal and some consequential things, including providing food and drinking water. What is wrong with that? Didn’t the Congress government do the same thing in the past?
We invited Congress opposition leader in the assembly Siddaramaiah to participate as it is an official programme. But he says, he is not a chaprasi to attend whenever the government invites him. Tell me, do you justify this? The Congress and JD(S) leaders exhibited similar attitude when they were invited to GIM or to join the all-party delegations to meet the Prime Minister and other Central leaders. But they stayed away. Criticise the government in the harshest language if we commit any mistakes or lapses and fail in our duties. But please don’t criticize us for the sake of criticism. We have received the people’s mandate to rule the state for five years. You can compare our performance of two years with the past performance of any government during the last 10 years or earlier. I am ready for a debate on any issue. Please allow us to function for the remaining three years.
Q. You spoke about the success of GIM. Attracting investments is okay. But what about meeting the requirements of land, power, water and better infrastructure facilities, which hamper industrial growth?
A. We are fully alive to the problem. Steps are being taken to create a land bank with over a lakh acres of land to be made available to industries at short notice. There will be parcels of land in each district. Plans are being taken to create additional generation capacity to solve the power crisis. We are confident of adding at least 5,000 mw of power in the next 3 years. We are confident of generating power generation by 16,000 mw to make the state into a power surplus. Steps are being taken to meet the water requirements without affecting the interests of farmers. Concerted efforts are being made to improve infrastructure facilities, road and air connectivity in the rural and urban areas. The government is confident of ensuring that the existing and prospective investors will never regret their decision of choosing Karnataka as their investment destination.
Q. There is criticism that the government is controlled by the mining lobby …
A. Tell me when did this mining boom start? Did the mining lobby originate after Yeddyurappa came to power? It was my government which laid down the policy to prevent export of mining ore and encouraged steel plants as part of the value-addition exercise. It was also because of our government that the royalty on iron ore exports was increased by the Centre. My government tightened the illegal mining activities.
Q. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and KPCC president R V Deshpande have criticised the government for giving excess lands to Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project of NICE company ----
A. They can level any allegations. I cannot stop them. But it is for the people to decide. They know the truth. Deshpande levels allegations aginst the government. But who Industries Minister when 5,000 acres of land was given at Rs 10 per acre. Who is responsible for the BMIC project? The issue is before the Supreme Court. I am bound to obey the Supreme Court order. Excess land will not be given to Ashok Kheny under any circumstances. Deve Gowda and Deshpande should not misled the people.
Q. Are you satisfied with the Government’s performance? Will there be cabinet reshuffle? Will Shobha Karandlaje be reinducted?
A. I am never easily satisfied. I know we have done quite a lot, worked with development, inclusive growth, social security and social justice as our primary objectives. The administrative machinery must keep pace with the Government’s speed and drive. Then things will happen and people will be able to see a qualitative difference in governance. I know a lot more needs to be done and fast. I will never rest until I reach my goal. I will do everything possible to protect the interests of farmers. I am a born fighter. I will never rest till I realise my dream and fulfill the promises. As for cabinet reshuffle, it may happen after the legislature session. There are 2 vacancies. I cannot give any more details at this stage. Boards and Corporations might also see some changes.
Q. What is your message to the people as the Government enters the third year?
A. Making the impossible, possible; cutting red-tape from governance and laying the red-carpet for investors is my aim. We are now more united and goal oriented. All the internal differences have been resolved. So you will see more and better results in the next three years. Karnataka will become a model state where all citizens are able to enjoy the fruits of equitable development, social security and justice. I know the people will bless me and my party in future too. You can take it from me that BJP is here to stay for a long time.