The Hindu : Front Page : Cabinet to be expanded on Friday

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Cabinet to be expanded on Friday

Special Correspondent

Kumaraswamy refutes reports raising doubts over expansion

H.D. Kumaraswamy

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has refuted reports raising doubts over the expansion of the State Cabinet and emphasised that it will certainly take place on February 17.

The expansion will be followed by a joint session of the legislature on February 24.

Addressing his first press conference here after assuming charge as Chief Minister, on Monday he said his Government is all set to promote development activities in the State. "My concern is to develop my State. That is all."

For this, he said, he will organise a meeting with captains of industry and find out what they require to speed up economic growth. "Our Government will respond to their needs positively."

He rejected the criticism that he has no experience of governance, and said inexperience will not be a handicap. "My inexperience is, in fact, my asset. This is because whatever decisions I take will be taken with great care. This, however, does not mean that the decisions will be delayed."

Asked about the controversy over the Bangalore metro project, he said the Government's aim will be to provide the city with a good transport system that will not pose a financial burden on the people.

The decision on which system should be introduced will be taken soon. The work will start within a month, he said.

Name change

On the issue of changing the name of Bangalore to Bengalooru, he said that while changing the name is not his priority, he will go with whatever the people of the city want.

"My Government's aim is to give what the city wants. <129>Changing the name is not my priority."

Asked about the decision of SemIndia to locate its wafer fab project in Andhra Pradesh instead of Karnataka, the Chief Minister said he has written a letter to Union Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran urging a reconsideration of the decision.

In the letter, he has also said that since there is a scope for more wafer fab projects considering the anticipated growth of the semiconductor industry, the State may be considered favourably for future projects

On whether Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy will be brought back as Chairman of Bangalore International Airport Ltd., the Chief Minister said he will consult Mr. Murthy and others on the issue soon.

Mr. Kumaraswamy met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Company Affairs Minister Premchand Gupta on Monday accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

The two leaders plan to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers for Agriculture, Railways, and Urban Development on Tuesday.

They will also be making a courtesy call on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

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