Lobbying versus Logic

The Hindu

Udupinet

Rajyotsava Speech 2010: excerpts

The State government has prepared a draft legislation to solve the issue related to Moolageni (original allottee) in the district, said Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya.

DHNS/ Photo Janardan Kodavoor

Speaking at the 55th Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Ajjarkadu district Stadium on Monday, he said there was no declaration under Land Reforms Act for Moolageni. To solve the problems related to Moolageni, a draft legislation has been prepared. The documents will be simplified by the revenue department.

Dr Acharya said that the government is planning to take steps to provide permanent lease of land for cashew cultivation in the state. As many as 492 ST beneficiaries have been given title deeds under Forest Rights Act in the district.

The minister said that the state government has taken measures to promote Kannada culture, language and arts. It has increased annual grants to Rs 200 crore from Rs 15 crore for the promotion of Kannada, culture and arts. Similarly the annual grants to various academies have also been increased to Rs 40 lakh from Rs 10 lakh. The annual grant given to Kannada Development Authority has been increased to Rs 6 crore from Rs 30 lakhs to support Kannada literature and language, he added. Measures have been taken by the government to introduce Tulu, as an optional language from sixth standard in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Udupi is known for linguistic harmony where Kannada, Tulu, Konkani and Beary languages co-exist without leaving room for linguistic friction, he added.

Malpe port: Dr Acharya said that Rs 37.75 crore has been released for the 3rd phase development of Malpe port. A sum of Rs 3.10 crore has been earmarked for the renovation of Hangarakatte fisheries harbour and Rs 3 crore for Kodikanyana wharf. The government has already released a sum of Rs 255 lakh for the repair of roads coming under fisheries department, he added. Police, NCC, Scouts and Guides and Seva Dal from eight schools took part in the march past. As many as 24 persons and institution were conferred District Rajyotsava awards on the occasion. A grand procession of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari was held from Board High School to the district stadium. As many as ten tableaux with replicas of Halebeedu Ganapathy, Halebeedu, Lord Bahubali, Gol Gumbaz, Madikeri Fort, Pattadakallu and famous adventurous spot of Yana in Uttar Kannada, Mysore palace, Jog falls and Murudeshwar were part of the show. Yakshagana, Gumte Kangeelu were seen.

Udupi: Congress, JD(S) living under illusion- Acharya

Udupi Dec 20: Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Saturday that the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) were living under an illusion of forming the government in Karnataka.Dr. Acharya told presspersons that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the State was stable. Asked how many seats the BJP would win in the Legislative Council polls, he said, “We will win a good number of seats and reach double digits this time.” On his meeting with Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Friday, Dr. Acharya said that he met the Governor every Friday to brief him.A few people met Mr. Bharadwaj on December 15 and drew his attention to a Bill seeking a ban on cow slaughter and the Government’s failure to act on the Lokayukta’s report on mining. As regards the Bill, Mr. Bhardwaj reportedly told the delegation that it came under the purview of the legislature.However, there were reports that the Governor was upset over the alleged inaction on Lokayukta’s report on mining. Dr. Acharya had briefed Mr. Bhardwaj about the action initiated by the Government on the report. “Our Government has not issued a single mining licence since coming to power,” Dr. Acharya said.

Asked about the call given by the head of the Pejawar Math to stop work on the 1,015-MW coal-based power plant at Yellur, Dr. Acharya said that since the project had been cleared under the single-window system, there was no need to seek licence from the local gram panchayat.The first unit of the UPCL would be commissioned in April. “A coal-based thermal plant with required safeguards is the safest compared to units working on other sources of energy,” Dr. Acharya said. (Mangalorean)