The Hindu : Karnataka News : Govt. will complete its full term: Dharam Singh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 20, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Govt. will complete its full term: Dharam Singh

By Our Staff Correspondent

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and his wife, Prabhavathi, at the Krishna Raja Sagar dam in Mandya district on Thursday after performing puja to the Cauvery. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

KRISHNA RAJA SAGAR (MANDYA DISTRICT), AUG. 19. Allaying fears over the future of the Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition in the State, the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, said here today that the Government would last its full term.

He was speaking after performing puja to the Cauvery at the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) in view of the dam filling up for the first time in five years.

`Good augury'

Mr. Dharam Singh expressed happiness over the KRS attaining its FRL and said this was a harbinger of good fortune. He said the Cauvery and Krishna rivers had a bearing on the lives of the people of the State.

Refuting criticism that the administration was faltering without direction due to fissures in the coalition, Mr. Dharam Singh pointed to the "pro-farmer and pro-poor" socio-economic programmes launched by the Government. He said: "This Government is not dead; it is living.''

The Chief Minister listed the common minimum programme, the State Budget, loan to farmers at six per cent interest and extension of midday meals to students up to 10th standard as examples of the Government's commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the poor.

Earlier, Mr. Dharam Singh was accorded a traditional welcome with "poorna kumbha" at the KRS. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his wife, Prabhavathi; the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah; the Minister for Water Resources, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, and the Speaker, Krishna. Later, they offered prayers at the statue of the goddess Cauvery and prayed for the welfare of the people.

Admissions

Commenting on the admissions imbroglio, he said certain elements were creating confusion over the seat selection process, but the Government was firm in its resolve to protect the interests of students.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's interim order on Thursday, Mr. Dharam Singh said that the State Government favoured Central legislation regulating admissions to professional courses. He was addressing a press conference. Mr. Dharam Singh indicated that the Ministry expansion might take place before August 27.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka