From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Belagavi (Ramadurga), Dec 2: Even as some of the people in villages adjoining the border district of Belagavi in Maharashtra reportedly expressing their desire to migrate to Karnataka and after making statements that the State has no objection, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday, December 2, made it clear that it was not appropriate for the visit of some ministers from Maharashtra at present given the sensitive nature of the border issues among the people of two States.
Speaking to media persons at Ramadurga in Belagavi district, the chief minister said the State Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma will be sending a fax message to her Maharashtra counterpart against the proposed plans of the Maharashtra ministers to visit and meet the people Belagavi.
“It is not appropriate in the present circumstances for the Maharashtra ministers to visit Belagavi at present,” Bommai said.
Answering questions on what the government will do if the Maharashtra ministers visit Belagavi, the Chief Minister said: ``We will do what the government did in the past when similar attempts were made."
He, however, chose not to elaborate but left little doubt that the ministers from the neighbouring State will not be allowed to visit the border district.
Bommai said the people of Jath taluk in Maharashtra, who are mostly Kannada speaking, had been demanding drinking water facilities. The Maharashtra government claims that an irrigation project has been prepared. If it is done, let it be implemented and the drinking water problems of the people must be solved, he said.
The Chief Minister later performed the Bhumi Puja and inauguration of different projects involving a total cost of Rs 671.28 crore in Ramadurga. He made it clear that the State government was committed to improving the conditions of Kannadigas and take all steps to protect their interest in any part of the world.
Development of 1800 villages in all border districts
Bommai said the government is taking steps for the complete development of 1,800 villages in all the border districts and also expedite the development of the districts of Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Belagavi and Vijayapura in the Kalyana Karnataka region.
He announced programmes for the improvement of schools in the border districts at a cost of Rs 100 crore this year.
Kannada Bhavans in Goa, Kasaragod, Solapur
A Kannada Bhavan is being constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore in Goa, he said announced the grant of Rs 10 crore each for construction of Kannada Bhavans in Solapur in Maharashtra and Kasaragod in Kerala.
Yatri Nivas buildings will be constructed at pilgrim centres Pandarapura, Tulasapura, ShriSaila and Aiyappa, where large number of people from the State visit on pilgrimage, he said.
The Chief Minister explained the various programmes and schemes undertaken by the government for the welfare of the people.