Daijiworld Media Network – Tumkur (SP)

Tumkur, Sep 30: Energy minister, Shobha Karandlaje, who was proposed to be made the in-charge minister for Tumkur district, has expressed her unwillingness to shoulder this additional responsibility, feeling that it would be burdensome for her.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday September 29 during her visit to Siddaganga Mutt here, and paying respects to Dr Shivakumar Swamiji of the Mutt, she said she wants to entirely concentrate on understanding the actual problems being faced by her ministry, and to overcome power shortage. “I have already requested the Chief Minister and the party top brass not to give me charge of any district for at least the initial six months,” she revealed.

She said no final decision has yet been taken about giving charge of Tumkur district to a minister. “For the first time, an important portfolio, energy, has been allotted to a woman, and I have accepted this department as a challenge. My first priority will be to remove the stigma the department carries. I have accordingly, told state BJP president, Eshwarappa and state BJP organizing secretary, Santosh, not to give me any responsibility in addition to energy portfolio,” she explained.

Karandlaje said that she will consult experts, who have spent time and energy in improving position of power supply in the state, infuse momentum to the projects already under way, and lay stress on undertaking new power projects. She revealed that she also would like to supply uninterrupted, quality power to rural places in the state.