Tuesday, June 28, 2011

‘Our success story got lost in controversies’

June 26: Higher education minister Dr V.S. Acharya is one of the few members of the state Cabinet, who has no qualms about speaking his heart.

The fact that he is accessible most of the time, is something widely appreciated by even his detractors. This despite his avowed allegiance to the RSS, which has landed him in controversy more than once. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Dr Acharya spoke about various issues including the much anticipated Cabinet expansion, JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy’s attacks on Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and the image of the first BJP government in the South.

To begin with, let’s talk about the controversy surrounding the chief minister over taking an oath at Dharmasthala. Can the chief minister of a state invite his political rival to face a truth test before god?
I think the media misread the situation. When a person keeps bothering and irritating you every day, a strong believer like Mr Yeddyurappa may tend to hit back saying god will teach you a lesson for bad behaviour.

Then, why did he back out? Will it be a setback for the party?
See what happened later. Pontiffs and seers of several powerful maths and dignitaries spoke out saying Mr Yeddyurappa’s plan to take a vow, was not in good taste. The chief minister positively responded to their sentiments and cancelled his plan. It will not be a setback for him because the person at the other end, can hardly be described as a statesman.

How did the party respond to the latest charges levelled by Mr Kumaraswamy on the involvement of family members of Mr Yeddyurappa in a cement company scam?
The party did not take it seriously because everything happened when the state was under President’s Rule. It is not even worth discussing this in party circles. It is unfortunate that a former chief minister resorted to such tactics. This is because he does not understand the language of democracy.

As a former home minister, what is your view on banning Karnataka Forum for Dignity?
I feel banning such organisations will not help. When the government banned SIMI, activists regrouped under the KFD. When you ban outlaws, they do not cease their activity all of a sudden. Instead, they continue to function under the aegis of a different organisation. I feel filing stringent cases against these people, is the best option. They will then stop their terror activity.

The delay in expanding the Cabinet, has given an impression that the party and government have different views on this. Comment.
You don’t have to read too much into it. We don’t have to expand the Cabinet in a hurry. The thinking in the party is that we should fill 2-3 of the seven vacant Cabinet berths. I don’t think the party top brass is considering filling all seven berths.

How do you view the comments made by senior BJP leader L.K. Advani that the party’s image has taken a beating due to the series of controversies the BJP government landed in?
Image building work is not a one-time measure. It is a continuous process. Mr Advani is the senior most leader of the party and one should not take his comments lightly. Nor is there anything wrong with his view. In spite of implementing so many programmes, controversies sprung up which diverted attention from our work. He has given a piece of advice which we have to strictly adhere to. After Mr Advani made a public observation, Mr Yeddyurappa held a series of meetings and gave a diktat making it mandatory for ministers to attend their offices at Vidhana Soudha.

You claim your achievements are outstanding. So, why is the image of the government bad?
There are two issues. Due to the controversies, we could not highlight our performance. Two, the Opposition Congress and JD(S) are getting disheartened. That’s why they keep making baseless and sometimes silly charges. Of the 28 byelections held since 2008, we have won 19. What other proof do you need to assess our popularity?

Deccan Chronicle

KDP meeting: June 2011

UDUPI: Higher education and Udupi district in-charge minister V S Acharya said issues regarding all round development of the district were discussed at the KDP ( Karnataka Development Programme) meeting on Saturday.

Briefing the media, he said that an external fishing harbour for fishing will be built on the eastern side of Maravanthe at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore, which can accommodate 250 to 300 fishing boats.

A mini fishing harbour would be built in Alvegadde at Shiroorat at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore. Administrative approval has been accorded for this project. A meeting will be convened at Bangaloreshortly to discuss the project on desilting and dredging works at Hejmadi, Malpe, Hangarukatte, Gangolli and Kundapur bunders.

The department has marked about 1,113 meters as acute areas in Udupi district which are prone to sea erosion. Boulders have been put at Udyavara-Padukere and in some areas in Kundapur taluk. The DC has sent a proposal of Rs 11.18 crore to contain sea erosion.

Acharya warned the public not become prey to private agencies who promise them government site and house by collecting funds on behalf of the government. Acharya warned Karnataka Pranthya Krishi Koolikarara Sangha which has been collecting a sum of Rs 50 from farmers.

On July 5 all elected representatives, including the CM, will visit a school in their constituency and spend an hour interacting with the children and faculty under a programme Shalegalalli Navu-Neevu. TOI

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Dream Come true!



Streetlights on Udupi Manipal road were inaugurated on 25.06.2011

Photos by Astro Mohan & Janardan Kodavoor

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

20.06.2011



1. Justice Santhosh Hegde inaugurates the Lok Ayukta office building at Udupi

2. Foundation stone for Extension of Udupi IB, laid

3. Two new bridges across river Swarna, foundation stone laid

(photos by Janardan Kodavoor)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

3 years of Progress, Development...

Courtesy: Udayavani




















Karnatakas First paperless DC Office @ Udupi: Udupi, 14 June 2011: District-in-Charge Minister Dr V S Acharya said that Udupi Deputy Commissioner’s office will soon be the first office in the State to become the paperless office. Addressing a press meet, he said paperless system will be implemented in Assistant Commissioner’s office and three taluk offices in a phased manner. The Udupi DC office complex will be inaugurated on August 19 by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa at Manipal End Point. Foundation stone will be laid for the Udupi circuit house on June 20. A sum of Rs 2.50 crore has been released for the Kundapur AC office and the work will commence at the earliest. The indoor stadium at Ajjarakadu has been renovated at the cost of Rs 2.55 crore and will be inaugurated soon. (read more from Bellevision)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

CET: Clarity in vision, implementation


Reports from Vijay Karnataka

State achieves 112% of plan target of 11th Plan

The Karnataka government has achieved its plan targets fixed in the 11th Five-Year Plan and the state’s plan size is getting larger every year, although the proportion of Central assistance to the state plan has been declining over the years. Against the 11th Plan allocation of Rs 1,01, 664 crore, the anticipated expenditure is likely to be Rs 1,14,005 crore, an achievement of 112 per cent.

“Though the state is known as forward-looking, progressive and strongly development-oriented and registered an average growth rate of about 7.5 per cent of GSDP in the last few years, it continues to be in the league of middle income states. This is because of the existence of considerable intra-regional disparities,” Dr V S Acharya, minister for planning and statistics, said.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the regional consultation of Planning Commission with southern states on the Approach Paper to the 12th Five Year Plan, here on Friday, he said the state is implementing a Special Development Plan spanning eight years, from 2007-08, based on the recommendations of the high power committee for redressal of regional imbalances. The state is providing an additional allocation of Rs 16,000 crore over and above the normal allocation to the identified backward taluks to bring them on a par with the developed taluks, he said.

In line with the recent independent Evaluation Initiative of the Planning Commission, Karnataka has proposed a Karnataka Evaluation Authority. The objective is to undertake impartial assessment of various public programmes and improve the effectiveness of public intervention, he said.

In order to improve implementation of all the schemes and programmes of the government, the state government has introduced a Monthly Programme Implementation Calendar (MPIC) for each plan and non-plan scheme. The MPIC sets out details of steps to be taken at the state, district and taluk levels for effective implementation of Plan non-Plan schemes from the very beginning of the financial year, he said. Business Standard

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Brutality on protestors condemned

Baba Ramdev's forceful eviction in New Delhi on Saturday night found its echo in the Karnataka legislature on Monday. A resolution was passed in both Houses condemning the Centre's act and seeking a high-level inquiry into the incident.

The discussion was initiated by labour minister B N Bachhe Gowda. State BJP president K S Eshwarappa termed the police action at Ramlila Maidan, where
Baba Ramdev was holding his protest, as "independent India's Jalianwala Bagh". He warned that the UPA government is playing with fire.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa termed the incident unpardonable and said the Congress had repeated the Emergency days. Holding the Centre responsible for the act, he called upon the people cutting across party lines to support the movement and make it a success.

In the legislative council, higher education minister V S Acharya moved the resolution and criticized the National Human Rights Commission for the delay in taking action.
(TOI)

04.06.2011



Vidya Nidhi @ Krishna Matha, sponsored by Paryaya Shri Shiroor Swamiji

(Photos by Janardan Kodavoor)

Saturday, June 4, 2011