From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Vijayapura, Jul 8: Industries Minister M B Pail, who is also the in charge minister for Vijayapura district, on Saturday disclosed to the media that Rs 70 crore will be released shortly for completion of all the pending works of Vijayapura airport.
Speaking to media persons at his residence, he said all efforts will be made to complete the airport and ensure that it becomes operational this year itself.
As per the norms for undertaking airport works and all infrastructure development in the airport, tenders should have been invited to award the works. However, the previous BJP government flouted the prescribed norms and awarded the works to Public Works Department, he said.
The minister said he will not allow any lapses in the execution of airport works and ensure that the infrastructure works go on as planned without any obstacles.
The proposal for completing the works has already been prepared and the file will be placed before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, he said pointing out that this year’s budget proposals have included setting up of wine and food parks besides cold storage units.
Patil blamed the Basavaraj Bommai government for flouting all norms of financial discipline and has taken up airport and infrastructure works without following the procedures or inviting tenders.
The minister attacked the opposition BJP for its failure to elect its Opposition Leader in the State Legislative Assembly even two months after the assembly elections. There were allegations that huge sums of Rs 25,000 crore was demanded for the chief minister’s post in the past, he said wondering if crores of rupees are being demanded for the opposition leader’s post, which may be the reason for the inordinate delay.
Patil lashed out at Union Minister Prahlad Joshi for his uncharitable comment that the Congress government’s guarantees were doles for the poor and said it reflects the mindset of BJP, which tried to defeat the Anna Bhagya. BJP and Modi government is anti-poor, he said pointing out that the Congress guarantees were targeted only at the poor and not the rich.