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Bengaluru, Oct 23 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has agreed to hold a conference of ministers in-charge of urban development of the southern states in Bengaluru on October 30.
Shivkumar said this while talking to the media here. Asked whether he would pressurize the Central government for funds for Bengaluru’s development, the state Congress president said, “Of course we will.” Since the Union Urban Development Minister himself will attend this conference, we will present our demands before him. We have already met Union Ministers and the Prime Minister several times to demand grants for Bengaluru.
Speaking about his recent visit to the border areas that could be included under the jurisdiction of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority (JBA),’ Shivakumar said: “I have visited the border areas of local bodies within the Bengaluru urban district that are eligible to be included under the limits of the GBA.”
“This area covers several municipalities and nagar panchayats. I have called a meeting of the officials concerned on Friday. In the coming days, parts of these areas may be brought under the jurisdiction of Bengaluru Municipal Corporations under the GBA. The committee headed by BS Patil is preparing a report on which areas can be included under the GBA. We have also invited MLAs, MPs, citizens and civic organizations to discuss it. Have given instructions. This matter.”
“This weekend, I will meet the public through the ‘Bengaluru Nadige’ (Walk in Bengaluru) programme. After this, we will hold meetings with IT-BT companies, especially in Mahadevapura and KR Puram areas,” he said.
Asked about the timeline for filling potholes, Shivakumar said, “Officials are filling potholes; we have made them responsible. At some places, instead of filling potholes, we are laying a new layer of road. These works are going on continuously. Major areas are being given priority to complete the work quickly. Since the rains have started, we are waiting for them to stop. After the rains stop, We will resume work.”
When Shivakumar was asked about CM Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra’s comments on leadership and why no disciplinary action was taken against some MLAs, he said, “I will not comment on the matter at the moment. I will respond at the appropriate time.”
Regarding reports that the SIT has confirmed rigging of 6,000 votes in Aland constituency, he said, “There is no doubt about it. It was done through the use of phone numbers. The authorities had filed a complaint about this at the time. The law will take its course in this case.”
–IANS
MKA/PGH