Siddu tamps down on junket controversy

Bangalore: Contrary to the statements attributed to Chief Minister Siddar­amaiah on the legislators’ tour, he will not take a tough line on the issue that was raised during the state Congress executive committee meeting here on Saturday evening.

“Two committees have returned after visiting foreign countries and two more committees are ready to go. I will discuss with the Speaker," Siddaramaiah reportedly said, making it clear that he was not opposed to it.

Sources close to the CM said that he would prefer to set out fresh guidelines for forthcoming legislators’ tours. 

Dist in-charge ministers worry Cong

Expressing concern over the lackadaisical approach of ministers towards their in-charge districts, state Congress executive committee members said unless these ministers handled drought relief works effectively, it would be difficult for the party to go to the people during the Lok Sabha elections. They appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to instruct these ministers to work effectively.

After the KPCC’s state executive meeting here, a senior leader told Deccan Chronicle, “It seems that district in-charge ministers like to enjoy the power, but do not want to deliver. With the Lok Sabha elections due in the next couple of months, the party cannot afford to ignore drought-like conditions in more than 90 taluks. We need to pull up ministers in-charge of these districts to at least meet drinking water needs of these taluks.”

The source said that the issue was highlighted by KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar, who in his introductory remarks said that there was a need for party leaders to come together to tackle drought in the state and also to strengthen the hands of Siddaramaiah.

While quoting former KPCC president B. Janaradhana  Poojary, the source added that the chief minister should expedite the process of issuing caste certificates and khatas to the needy which do not require any monetary support from the state government. The revenue minister should issue instructions to speed up the process.

Next: Parameshwar defends foreign tour

Parameshwar defends foreign tour

Clearly stung by the opposition’s criticism of the foreign jaunt planned by  members of the state’s legislature committees, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G. Para­mesh­war went on the offensive on Saturday, recalling  that it was the Janata Dal (S) and the BJP which had amended the rules during their stints in power to allow such foreign tours by legislators.

Speaking at the Congress party’s 129th Foundation Day celebrations here, he said, “The Congress party doesn’t need any lessons on morality from the JD(S) or the BJP as they brought in the amendments needed to help legislators go abroad.”

“Going abroad is an experience. There are two ways of gathering knowledge. One is by reading and the other, by travelling. This is something that everyone knows, but if they (the opposition) are not aware of it what can we do about it?”  he asked. He described BJP as a communal party and its  Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as its leader.