Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 14: Leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa on Monday December 14 lambasted the state government over the amendments to Panchayat Raj Act which was recently passed by the state cabinet, and claimed that the bill was passed without any discussion. Criticising the Siddaramaiah regime on various issues, Eshwarappa also said that it was the 'worst' government he had ever seen.

Addressing a press meet at Kadiyali BJP block office here, Eshwarappa said, "The Karnataka state government passed the Panchayat Raj Amendment bill without any discussion in the Assembly. This shows the autocratic nature of the government.

"Ramesh Kumar's report on the matter indicates that the panchayat presidents are deprived of the power to take decisions. The chief minister says gram panchayat members have powers - let him show where that power is," he said.

"The union government has already sanctioned Rs 25 lac for each gram panchayat, and though the state has assured of providing this amount, it has not released it so far, and now it is also asking the panchayats to pay the electricity bills which were earlier being paid by the government. The CM should give clarification on this," he added.

"Rural development minister S K Patil has assured that he would provide 7,000 units of water to rural areas, but in 2013-2014 only 1,000 units was provided and there was plan to provide 2,000 units in 2014-2015. Can the minister fulfill his promise of providing 7,000 units of water in the remaining three months of the financial year? We are not demanding his resignation, but he should apologise to the people of Karnataka if he cannot fulfill his promise," he said.

Lambasting the state government further, Eshwarappa said, "In two-and-a-half years we have seen complete failure of the administration. Though rape cases are being reported, no adequate measures have been taken to curb such crimes. A committee was appointed to look into crimes against women, but it has not given its report till date.

"As many as 900 farmers have committed suicide in the state, but compensation has been given to not more than 250 of those families. When Rahul Gandhi visited the state last time, he assured to provide Rs 5 lac compensation to families of farmers who committed suicide, but this amount has not been released yet," he said.

"Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are worried that the Congress will not come back to power in the country again. In the upcoming MLC elections, if Congress wins by even one vote, we will listen to whatever it says, if not, the government should concentrate only on working for the development of the state. BJP is confident of winning 10-15 seats," he said.

"The government is taking action against the police instead of the accused. Siddaramaiah's administration is the worst I have ever seen. Funds meant for backward classes are being looted. No action has been taken against social welfare minister Anjaneya despite allegations of corruption. When allegations were levelled against the power ministry, D K Shivakumar had assured to conduct a thorough enquiry within three months, but so far nothing has been done.

"The Siddaramaiah regime needs to prove the existence of government in the state. In the remaining two-and-a-half years, show you (Congress) are in power and work towards the development of the state, and give more powers to the panchayats. Sanction more grants for the welfare of OBCs and Dalits," he said.

To a question on whether he would accept former chief minister B S Yedyurappa as the state president of BJP, Eshwarappa said, "It is not my sole decision. It is up to the party to decide."

On the Hosabelaku Yojana, he said, "The union government is giving 6 crore bulbs each costing Rs 400 at a concessional rate of Rs 100. Why cannot the state government subsidise Rs 50 out of that, so that consumers need to pay only Rs 50?"

On the Yettinahole issue, he said, "Districts like Kolar and Chikkaballapur are in need of drinking water. Experts should examine the availability of water and study the matter thorougly, and the CM should call a meeting immediately."

District president Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, former MLA Raghupati Bhat and others were present.