The Hindu : Govt. to set up Park Authority soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Govt. to set up Park Authority soon

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 7. The State Government will soon set up a Park Authority under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to govern the city's three major parks — Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, and Freedom Park.

The Minister for Bangalore Development, the Horticulture Minister, the Mayor, and the heads of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will be its members, the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, announced here on Saturday.

Addressing presspersons after inaugurating three BDA projects, the Chief Minister said the Government would soon issue an order in this regard.

Referring to the Lalbagh Glass House controversy (there have been allegations that the BDA has used glass that is not suitable for flowers resulting in the annual flower shows not being held there anymore), Mr. Krishna said: "The decision to ban all activities in the glass house is irrevocable and no compromise will be made in protecting heritage monuments in the State".

"The glass house is a historical monument. It is meant for people to see and enjoy its beauty. The very fact that I have made the BDA spend Rs. 3 crore on refurbishing it shows how much I value it as a heritage monument," he said.

Recalling the days when he was felicitated twice in the glass house and also attended weddings there, he said: "The decision not to hold flower shows in the glass house is an extension of decisions taken by previous governments to ban all political conventions, marriages, and other functions there."

Replying to a question on the horticulture officers' allegations that the BDA had not done a good job in renovating the glass house, Mr. Krishna asked: "Who are these officers to blame the BDA's work? It is none of their business. They should concentrate on plants."

"These officers do not know the technicalities of building a glass house. They do not know the difference between glass and tin as they were not taught that in the agricultural colleges. Let them learn that first," he said.

Mr. Krishna asserted that he had decided to wind up all the horticultural, agricultural, and sericulture firms run by the Government and let them out on lease to unemployed youth.

The Chief Minster said he welcomed constructive criticism against the BDA and the Government, but could not tolerate such "frivolous" remarks.

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