Bangalore: HDK says Congress rule more corrupt than previous government

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 6: Though the JD(S)-BJP electoral understanding in the recent two byelections to the Lok Sabha and three Legislative Council seats came a cropper with neither of the parties benefitting, JD(S) opposition leader in the State Assembly and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy is all praise for the previous BJP rule.

Addressing a news conference after his recent drama over the resignation from the position as State JD(S) presidentship following the byelection defeats, the JD(S) leader alleged that the level of corruption was less in the previous regime as compared to the present Congress Government.

Kumaraswamy, who was the Chief Minister for 20 months during 2005-06 with the support of the BJP, alleged that ministers in the Congress government have been demanding more bribe for transfers of officials compared to the amount in the BJP Government.

Warning the Siddaramaiah-led Congress regime in the State that “the power is not permanent,” he charged that some ministers had differences with Chief Minister’s office over ''collection in transfers of officials.”

''I will come out with more details and expose the Congress rule,” he said.

He, however, declined to answer questions on whether the JD(S) will formally announce its electoral understanding with BJP for the ensuing lok sabha elections of 2014.

''Wait and watch,” he said and declared that the party would take its own decision at the appropriate time.
 

Rs 3,300 cr Damage to Coconut, Arecanut Plantations
 
The JD(S) leader said arecanut and coconut plantations spread over lakhs of acres were damaged on account of heavy rainfall and drought in coastal and southern districts of the State and demanded immediate release of monetary relief to affected growers.

Damage to coconut and arecanut plantations has been estimated at Rs 3200 crore, Kumaraswamy said.

Heavy and incessant rain since the beginning of June in six districts of malnad and coastal Karnataka dealt a serious blow to arecanut growers, who have lost considerable quantity of their crop.
 

Arecanut Growers in DK Suffered Rs 220 cr loss
 
The estimated loss to arecanut growers in Dakshina Kannada district alone estimated at Rs 220 crore, he said.

Arecanut plantations, spread across 2.27 lakh hectares in these districts, have been affected by the fruit rot disease (Kole Roga) as continuous rain prevented spraying of copper sulphate fluid on arecanut bunches.

The State Government released a meager amount of Rs 8 crore as compensation for farmers, who had lost crops in coastal districts.

Neither review meetings were held nor ministers visited the rain affected districts so far, he said.

The damages to coconut plantations in various districts of the southern Karnataka was very extensive, he said and pointed out that lakhs of coconut palms have withered on account of drought in 80 taluks.

The Gorakh Singh Committee report has given all the details in its report but the Congress ministers had no time to read and take appropriate action, he said.

He also urged Chief Minister to take a delegation to the Centre to seek compensation for the crop loss in the State.

The State Government has to provide relief as per the guidelines of the Natural Calamity Fund, Kumaraswamy said.