Chief Minister Promises ‘change’ in New Year
Bangalore, Jan 2 (DHNS) : The Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday said he is keen to leave the year 2009 behind and bring in comprehensive changes in administration in the new year.
Addressing reporters in Bangalore, he said he would accord top priority to developmental programmes and towards improving administration. The whole of last year was an “Agni pareeksha” for him. The Opposition had made baseless allegations and had remained non-cooperative through out, he charged. However, the CM did not mention the simmering discontent in his own party and campaign led by the Bellary ministers to oust him.
The government would begin budget preparation for the coming fiscal from Saturday. Department-wise review meetings would be held on a regular basis. Reforms to pep up administration would also be taken up, he added.
Special tax
The state government is likely to impose special taxes in the coming state budget 2010-11 to raise additional funds especially for rehabilitating the flood-affected people, Yeddyurappa said. He reiterated that the new taxes will not burden.
The state government has been mulling over additional resources mobilisation (ARM) measures ever since the state revenues dipped due to global economic slowdown. However, the proposal was put on the back burner. The idea resurfaced after North Karnataka reeled under the floods.
Yeddyurappa claimed that the Centre had not released flood relief grants on the expected lines.
He would once again request the Prime Minister to release more grants on January 13, when an all-party delegation would be visiting New Delhi on the Mahadayi issue.