Criticisms are temporary, good work is permanent: DK Shivakumar in Channapatna ahead of by-elections

Channapatna (Karnataka): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said he would focus on good work rather than worrying about unconstructive criticism.

Speaking at a 'Government at your doorstep' event in Channapatna taluk, he said, "I don't worry too much about unnecessary criticism. Criticism dies while good work lives on for a long time. People's service is important to me. I am the son of Channapatna, my doors are always open to the people. Some are saying that I will go away after the by-elections. They did not do any good work in the constituency when they were in power."

He said that a grant of Rs 167 crore had been released from the Irrigation department for Channapatna ahead of the by-elections.

"We have released a grant of Rs 167 crore from the Irrigation department for Channapatna. The Chief Minister has agreed to release a special grant of Rs 100 crore for the taluk. Rs 70 crore has been allocated for various other works such as elephant barricades, railway overbridge, drainage, etc. A barrage is being built at a cost of Rs 50 crore across the Kanva river near Addaalahalli. Irrigation works in Sattehala are being done at a cost of Rs 540 crore," he said.

"About 2,500 people have submitted pleas for sites and 1,121 people have requested for homes. Officials would issue sites and homes to the needy after reviewing the applications. A new 100-acre layout has been formed in Kanakapura and a similar layout will be formed in Channapatna," he announced.

He said that the state government has released 100 new KSRTC buses for Ramanagara district.

"When we met the PM for financial assistance to the metro, he said that people are not using metro due to free buses. Most of the people in rural areas use government buses only. We have released 100 new KSRTC buses for Ramanagara district. People have requested bus service to Mandya from here, it will be done soon," he said.

He said that Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has instructed officials to restart the KSRTC shuttle bus between Channapatna and Maddur which was discontinued 11 years ago.

He said that an investigation has been ordered on an employee on charges of corruption.

"The officials in government offices are inactive. I have instructed officials to investigate an employee named Harshita in Nada Kacheri for demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000 from one Yashodamma. The employee will be suspended if found guilty," he said.

Responding to a plea about issue of ration only one day a week, the DCM instructed officials to form a WhatsApp group and share information on the issue of ration. He urged officials to use technology to serve people.

By-elections are scheduled in Channapatna. The Assembly constituency was held by H D Kumaraswamy who vacated it after becoming the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.