BELLARY: M.P. Prakash, former Deputy Chief Minister, on Saturday asked the Deputy Commissioner to curb anti-social activities in the district in the wake of the observations by Minja Yang, UNESCO representative in India, about unauthorised construction and drug peddling at the Virpapurgadda Island at the Hampi world heritage site.

Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Prakash termed the observations eye-opener. He said Sri Sangana Basava Swamiji of Kotturmath has raised the matter several times and demanded that the sanctity of Hampi and surrounding places be maintained.

According to him, illegal activities at the Hampi world heritage site are under control because of the steps taken by the authorities here. Similar steps have to be taken by the Koppal district authorities, he said.

Mr. Prakash, while agreeing that a proposal to set up Hampi Police exclusively for the protection of the world heritage site is pending before the Government, said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has permitted to construct a police station in Hampi.

Reacting to the Railway Budget, Mr. Prakash said the "step-motherly" treatment continues in terms of development works in the State.

He took exception to the meagre allocation to long-pending projects such as Kottur-Harihar line and gauge conversion between Gadag and Bagalkot. Early completion of the Kottur-Harihar line will help prevent the damage being caused to the roads by trucks transporting iron ore to the Mangalore port.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that the delay in the completion of major works is because of the State Government not releasing its share of the project cost, Mr. Prakash said the S.M. Krishna Government's decision to shoulder certain portion of the railway projects was a major mistake.

The decision was taken without realising the capacity to mobilise resources. "No other State Government has entered into such an agreement, and yet many development works are being undertaken there," he pointed out.

Mr. Prakash said instead of allocating Rs. 1,200 crores only to the Hubli-Ankola project, funds could have been earmarked for some smaller projects for their early completion.

Mr. said that he did not feel let down by the recent political developments in the State. "I don't feel that I was let down. But I feel that the political developments that occurred were unfortunate," he added.

He said now the priority should be to organise the Janata Dal (S).

According to him some senior leaders of the party are at it and he hoped that they will be able to clear the confusion.

To a question, Mr. Prakash said the party has suspended the MLAs who have revolted and not expelled them. All of them are part of the party.

Asked what will be his role in the party, he said that he will abide by what ever decision party President H.D. Deve Gowda takes.

On the selection of President of the party, he said senior leaders will take a decision on it.

Mr. Prakash was here to inaugurate "Geetotsava 2006," a two-day State-level conference on "Sugama Sangeeta."

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