Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 30: Vice-president of the State Finance Commission D H Shankarmurthy asserted that the opposition leaders in the legislature enjoy the status of the cabinet members but not vested with the same rights. He was addressing a press conference here on Monday June 29.

"I too have worked as an opposition leader in the legislative council for four years. Siddaramaiah can, if he so wants, get information from the officials just like any other MLA. The members of the cabinet alone enjoy the powers to review progress by summoning officials. Ministers are bound by the oaths of secrecy administered to them. Will Siddaramaiah support the action of Advani if he visits various states and conduct progress review meets there? Both Siddaramaiah and Ugrappa should mend their ways," he advised.

About the demand of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande for a white paper on the government's performance, he said the next assembly session is entirely reserved for budget discussions and Deshpande is free to raise issues there.  About the arrest of Renukacharya, he feigned ignorance about the background. The policemen are bound by the orders of courts and if Renukacharya had committed an offence, it is unfortunate, he added.

Shankarmurthy said the interaction held at a Bangalore resort contributed to bridge the gap between the politicians and officials and he expects the same to give good results in the coming days. An opinion emerged at the session that such programmes should be held once in three months, he revealed.

He also said that the Planning Commission has achieved 90% of the Rs 26,000 crore budget it was allotted with. BJP district president Kota Srinivas Poojary and Mahila Morcha district president Shyamala Kunder were present.