Bangalore: DVS Promises to Pressurise Centre on Hyderabad-Karnataka

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 25: In the wake of the successful bandh organized by the Hyderabad-Karnataka Horata Samiti in the five districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir on Tuesday demanding special status for the region under the Article 371, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday promised to exert pressure on the Centre to concede the region’s long-standing demand for amending the Constitution.

Speaking to presspersons after a Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said he would take a delegation to the Centre and appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to accord special status to the backward districts.

An all-party meeting would also be convened during the course of the State legislature session commencing on January 30, he said.

A bandh was observed in the five districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir in the region on Tuesday demanding the amendment under the leadership of the Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti following a call given by the Samiti President and former MLA Vaijnath Patil.

Patil, who is also a former minister, said amending the Constitution to accord special status for the region would facilitate its comprehensive development and ensure special reservation in employment and educational opportunities for the people of five districts.

The Chief Minister said the State Government has been demanding granting of special status to five districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

The State legislature has already passed a resolution demanding the Centre to accord special status to the region. ''There is no meaning in passing resolution again,” he said

Gowda said the Centre had agreed to amend the Article but ''it is a matter of concern” that the issue did not come up during the last Parliamentary session despite it being ready.

''The Central leaders, including Union Ministers from Karnataka, are cooperating with the State Government and all that’s needed now is to place the proposal before the Union Cabinet for approval,” he said.

Legislature Session from Jan 30; Text of Governor’s Speech Approved
 
The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved text of Governor H R Bhardwaj’s address to be delivered to the joint session of the State Legislature on June 30.

The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, approved the text speech of the Governor’s address to the legislature.

Both houses of the State legislature would meet from January 30 and hold session for 10 days.

The State Cabinet has taken a decision to enhance the cost of taking up dredging operation in Karwar port from Rs. 15 crore to Rs. 35 crore.

The depth of the sea water was drastically reduced owing to collection of sand resulting in blocking the entry of large sized ships towards the bay.

The Cabinet also decided to close a case registered against Uttara Kannada MP Ananthkumar Hegde of the BJP in connection with his provocative speech in Uttara Kannada district a few years ago.