Simple food, fiery speeches at session

Bangalore: The legislature session in Belgaum, scheduled to start on November 25, could turn out to be spicy hot with the opposition BJP threatening to disrupt proceedings on the Santosh Lad issue. But the food will not be as fiery with the state government intent on keeping its menu healthy and simple. As many as 295 legislators will have to be fed during the ten-day session.

There is a reason for the state government wanting to cut the spice. During the last session in Belgaum, a few legislators had confided to the Speaker that the food provided to them was just too hot. Some of them even complained of stomach problems and uneasiness after consuming the fare dished out to them at Belgaum.

There is a regional angle to the ‘food imbroglio’ if one may call it that. Legislators from south Karnataka and the Malnad region have claimed that they find it difficult to adjust with North Karnataka's spicy food and the variety of sweets the region is famous for.

Taking note of this, the Assembly secretariat has decided to ensure a simple menu. "We have asked our cooks to prepare simple food including rice- sambar/ rasam, chapati-curry/ curd rice and one sweet for lunch. Legislators have been pressurising us for simple food during the session", said Shreesha, Secretary, Legislative Council.

There were enough problems at the last session with the Ragi Mudde served for lunch, leading to complaints that it was half cooked and caused stomach upsets. This time, legislators are reportedly insisting that they be provided chapati instead of Ragi Mudde. 

There have also been specific requests from a few legislators who  suffer from hypertension and diabetes, to provide diet food, said a senior officer in the Assembly secretariat.
However, those looking forward to digging into some delicious fare at the session, will not be left disappointed.

Sources said the Chief Minister and ministers are sure to arrange special lunch sessions for them. The initiative is likely to be taken by ministers from the north Karnataka region, an officer said.
With the last Belgaum session proving to be a bit too taxing for the exchequer, the government is intent on keeping expenses down this time. 

Transport facilities will be provided to legislators to bring them to  Suvarna Soudha from where they are lodged. Vehicles provided at the Legislators Home will be used for the purpose.

Four legislators— Suresh Babu, B. Nagendra Anand Singh and Satish Sail— will miss the Belgaum session. They are in CBI custody for their alleged involvement in the Belekeri port iron ore export scam. The CBI had recently arrested these legislators and the CBI court had remanded them to judicial custody.

Next: Austerity is the key word this year

Austerity is the key word this year

Naushad Bijapur | DC

Belgaum: The Suvarna Soudha , which has been largely quiet since the last winter session of the state assembly was held here, is again buzzing with activity as the district administration gives final touches to arrangements for the coming session of the legislature that begins on November 25.

Considering the criticism that came its way for the lavish spending on the last session in Belgaum, the government has decided to be more judicious with funds this time.

Not more than Rs 3.50 crore will be spent on food, accommodation and transport  this session. While one canteen will serve food inside a huge pandal adjacent to Suvarna Soudha another makeshift canteen will serve people outside the building.

With over 90 per cent of the staff  from Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore shifting to Belgaum for 10 days, many of the hotels in the city have been booked to lodge them. Most of the guest houses and hotels in Dharwad, about 70 kms from Belgaum, too have been booked for  government officials, legislators and VIPs  attending the session, scheduled to end on December 6.

While the Chief Minister, leaders of the Opposition and Speaker will stay at the VTU guesthouse and Hotel Eefa, MLAs will be  accommodated at the Sanman, Sankam and Adarsh hotels.

Several committees headed by senior officials have been formed to oversee all the arrangements and the police, which  is providing special security to all the hotels where the guest are staying, has  asked for reinforcements from other districts to make sure there is no law and order problem during the session. 

Considering the political bigwigs arriving in the city, the roads are being given a makeover. While potholes have been filled on several stretches already. Speaker D H Shankarmurthy, who reviewed the  arrangements, said everything appeared to be in place for the smooth conduct of the session.