Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Oct 29: Former MP, Jayaprakash Hegde, stressed that most of the corporations and boards that are in existence have lost their relevance and importance. He opined that these organizations have turned into rehabilitation centres for political refugees. In view of this sorry state of affairs, he strongly advocated dissolution of such boards and corporations.

"Most of the boards and corporations existing now have become defunct. It is apparent that discussions, pulls and pressures over the issue of appointment of chairpersons to these entities are happening just to provide rehabilitation to frustrated politicians. Nothing else," he asserted.

Speaking to media persons in the town on Thursday October 27, Hegde observed that a number of good schemes of the state government are not being effectively implemented now. "There is dearth of coordination within the government. The officials take initiatives and evince interest in implementing the schemes properly, only when they get a feeling that Congress will again rise to power in the state," he commented.

"Those ministers who are toiling hard continue to do so. Many others are just ornamental heads without playing any positive role. In the matter of claiming drought relief, the state and central governments are engaged in tossing the ball to each other's court. The state government should come to the aid of the people when there is crisis. As soon as it starts raining, everyone tends to forget the past," he pointed out.

About the problem of sand shortage, he felt that the government should draft and implement rules and regulations on sand mining, duly simplifying rules for traditional sand extraction so that common people get sand without much problem. He felt that drafting stricter rules gives rise to heightened corruption.

About the construction of steel bridge at Hebbala Bengaluru that has snowballed into a huge controversy, Hegde favoured the construction of a bridge there as he felt it would help people to reach the airport, and also for the people living in the region to come to the city. At the same time, he felt that there is need for the concerned to talk to those who are opposing the project and take them into confidence. "If there is opposition for some proper reason, the people concerned should convince the government about their reasons," he opined.

On his own political future, Hegde said he would take a final decision on joining any political party in two to three months. He added that none of the Congress leaders had contacted him for joining their party, but local activists here had taken up the matter when former union minister, Jairam Ramesh, visited the town sometime back. He confessed that JDS leaders have invited him into their party. "I had worked as minister under Deve Gowda. I am grateful to Deve Gowda and MLA, Y S V Datta, for having good opinion about me. I will take a decision after holding discussions with my followers," he explained.