Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, May 2: “Electricity generation has not been stopped in Karnataka due to shortage of coal. We are coordinating with the union government for the supply of coal. As it rained in April the pressure on electricity production is less. Everyday, 13 to 15 rakes of coal is supplied by the Centre to Karnataka. We are holding meetings every alternate day and maintaining the situation. All precautions are being taken,” said energy, Kannada and culture minister Sunil Kumar.
Sunil further said, “From May 5 to 15, maintenance works will be done on all transformers of the state. All officers have to participate in the campaign. Many lives are lost due to transformer blasts. Transformers that are more than 15 years old will be changed immediately.”
“Electrical vehicle charging centres will be established by the energy department in the state. These will be used for recharging electrical vehicles. In the first phase, these will be established in all district centres. It will be later extended to all the tourist destinations and the highways. The Mysuru charging centre will be operational from May 7. In total, 1,000 charging stations will be established in the state. More than 300 centres will be operating in Bengaluru from the month of May," the minister said.
Responding to the statement of Santhosh that freshness will be given importance in BJP, Sunil said, “Recharge of BJP happens in our booths. The recharging centre of the party is in the hands of our party workers. The process of recharging booth and party workers is continuous. We cannot recharge through some others’ statements. Our workers get recharged voluntarily. Freshness is in the root formation of our party. Every worker has freshness. We develop freshness of our workers in accordance with the society. The freshness which is there in our organizations cannot be expected in any other party. In our party opportunity is given for newness also. It is a continuous process. There is a saying that new sprouts and old roots complement each other. We are not like Congress, who hang on to one tree.”
Reacting to the issue of Azan Vs Bhajane campaign of Sri Rama Sene, Sunil said, “Why do I have to give reaction to the activities of all organizations? Government is observing all developments closely. I cannot give response to hundreds of statements. Concerned departments will take care of it. Our government is committed to implement the verdict of court. There is no opportunity for friction and failure of law and order.”
When queried about the hooliganism of MES in Belagavi, Sunil said, “We will not tolerate any anti-Kannada activity. This has been said very clearly many times. Earlier, the home department has taken strict action. If anyone puts instigating posters, district administration and police department will take stringent action. The government will see that the pride of Kannada is not hurt.”
With regards to imposing Hindi in Karnataka, Sunil said, “There is no question of imposing Hindi. This has been misunderstood. Our mother tongue is Kannada. That is our right. The union BJP leaders have asked us to use Hindi while contacting other states. What is wrong in that? In Karnataka, Kannada is important. Unnecessarily efforts are made to mislead people.”
Replying to matter of demand for former CM Siddaramaiah to contest from 20 constituencies in the coming assembly elections, Sunil said, “In the last assembly elections, he fought from two constituencies. He lost in one and won with very little margin in the other. I do not know who has advised him to contest from 20 constituencies. Let election commission decide the number of constituencies from where one person can contest. Congress has become so poor that they have to nominate one person in 20 constituencies. This means that there are no candidates in other constituencies. So there is deficit of candidates in the Congress party. Only God has to save Congress.”
“Priyank Kharge always speaks on every issue without records. He has never levelled serious accusations. In the matter of bitcoin scam also he said crore of rupees of scam has occurred. But he did not provide any supporting documents. As he likes propaganda he keeps on holding press conferences. What did he achieve in the bitcoin issue? He speaks to divert the accusations that are on him. How he can get the voice record that the police did not get? These things will not happen without his support. That is why I said that investigation needs to be done on Priyank Kharge. If we serve notice, he says that he will not answer. This is nothing but escapism. He acts as an absconding accused.”