The Hindu : Front Page : Municipalities told not to act against State's interests

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Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005

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Municipalities told not to act against State's interests

Karnataka Bureau

Dharam Singh defends Government's action in superseding Belgaum City Corporation

SETTING IT FREE: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and Primary and Secondary Education Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy at the Rajyotsava function in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh on Tuesday warned municipalities not to act against the interests of the State. Speaking at the Rajyotsava celebrations at Kanteerava Stadium here, the Chief Minister defended the Government's action in superseding the Belgaum City Corporation and appointing the Deputy Commissioner as administrator. The official Rajyotsava function scheduled for November 1 was put off to November 22 because of rain.

The Government took the decision on Monday in view of a resolution passed some time ago by the corporation favouring the transfer of Marathi-speaking areas in Belgaum district to Maharashtra.

"The Government cannot tolerate municipalities that pass resolutions concerning border disputes, which is a sensitive matter. It is a matter concerning the Government, and the Government takes a decision after discussing it in the legislature. The corporation has transgressed its powers and duties while passing the resolution," he said.

Mr. Dharam Singh said the Government is committed towards safeguarding the interests of the State and also working towards its development. He said the Government would work on the 11-point plan given by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during his visit.

Cultural programmes

Children from different schools in Bangalore took part in the parade and the cultural programmes. The parade was led by a group of children from kindergarten.

Among the cultural programmes by children the one that received applause from the people was the dance performance by students from five government schools. Dancing to the theme "Nationality," the children depicted peacock, lotus, butterfly, the Chamundi Hills and the beauty of Mysore in their dances.

Kudos for Chief Minister

Various Kannada groups which met under the banner of Belgaum District Kannada Organisations Action Committee in Belgaum, lauded the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash and Law Minister H.K. Patil for dissolving the Belgaum City Corporation.

However, the committee warned that it would launch a campaign against all those trying to help the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi.

The meeting also described as "unfortunate" the attack by Kannada Rakshana Vedike on Belgaum Mayor Vijay Pandurang More in Bangalore and warned that such incidents might victimise Kannadigas elsewhere.

Welcomed

The Congress has welcomed the Government decision to supersede the Belgaum City Corporation. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson and general secretary V.S. Ugrappa said in Bangalore that the Congress has maintained that the Mahajan Commission report is final for resolving the boundary dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The Congress is always committed to protecting the State's interests. Kannada and Marathi-speaking people are living in peace in the State, he said. The Congress has appealed to the people to maintain brotherhood and communal harmony in the district.

Special session

Katta Subramanya Naidu, chief whip of the BJP in the Assembly, has urged the Chief Minister to convene a special session of the two Houses of the Legislature in Belgaum and formulate a special package for promoting industries in that district.

Bandh call withdrawn

The Kannada Jana Shakti has withdrawn the call for Karnataka bandh on November 24 in view of the response of the Government to its demand. But they will stage a dharna in front of the Chief Minister's official residence till the cases booked against the 17 volunteers of Kannada Rakshana Vedike are withdrawn.

Jana Shakti president C.K. Rame Gowda, Vatal Nagaraj, MLA, president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Chandrashekhara Patil, president of Rajkumar Fans' Association S.R. Govindu, president of the Kannada Vedike K. Prabhakara Reddy and former MLA Pramila Nesargi participated in the meeting.

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