The Hindu : Karnataka News : `Disunity' among MPs criticised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

`Disunity' among MPs criticised

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR, APRIL 5. The Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday asked political parties not to indulge in a blame game over Krishna waters but think of what best can be done to safeguard the State's interests.

Addressing a press conference at Alamatti, he criticised the "show of disunity" by MPs at the all-party meeting in Bangalore on Monday.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said nobody should politicise the Krishna or the Cauvery waters issue. It is not right to allege that the Government has not taken note of Andhra Pradesh's action. The country has a federal structure of governance and a State cannot directly prevail upon another State over any matter. It is better to take a delegation to New Delhi to apprise the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, of the situation. The State's case can be effectively presented with facts and figures.

On the demand by the BJP and his party (Janata Dal-S) for a special session of the Legislature to discuss Andhra Pradesh's action, he said he did not see reason for any such special session as the issue was discussed in the House. The Opposition and the Treasury benches have expressed their views, he added.

Vigilant

On the alleged illegal irrigation projects being taken up by Maharashtra, he said the State is equally vigilant about the activities of the upper riparian State. "We are not sleeping over the issue,'' he said.

VAT

On the reported artificial scarcity of life saving drugs created by the traders following the launch of value added tax regime, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the problem would be set right within a day or two.

Referring to Tamil Nadu not opting for the new system, he said the State is introducing special entry tax to minimise diversion of business.

Revenue

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the State is expected to lose Rs. 2,160 crores revenue coming through commercial tax on account of VAT. But the Union Government will compensate this, he said.

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