Karnataka - Bellary   

Prakash to press for funds from Centre for flood relief

Staff Correspondent

Promises to take up the issue with Prime Minister during his visit to Delhi

BELLARY: Home Minister M.P. Prakash, who is district in-charge, said that he would be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to New Delhi in a couple of days and urge him not to do injustice to the State as far as providing assistance for tackling flood relief was concerned.

Mr. Prakash, who spoke to presspersons after unfurling the

National Flag at the Independence Day function at District Stadium here, said there had been no response from the Centre for the demand for financial assistance put forth by the

State. According to him, the State Government had submitted a

memorandum seeking Rs. 1,400 crore as assistance.

Mr. Prakash said that the State had been managing with Rs. 156 crore made available in the Calamity Relief Fund. "We will not wait for Central assistance. We will go ahead with the relief work and ensure that there will not be any dearth of funds for tackling flood relief," he said.

Helmet rule

With regard to making helmets compulsory for riders of two-wheelers, Mr. Praksh said the State Government was considering going in for a revision petition following High Court making it mandatory.

The National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) had submitted a report that helmets should be made compulsory in the wake of more deaths in road accidents due to head injury and later the High Court had passed an order in this regard.

Meanwhile, there had been a demand from the public to exempt the pillion rider from wearing helmets. "All these issues are being considered and a decision will be taken soon," he said.

Mr. Prakash said the State Government had proposed to set up

15 new police stations and 43 Fire Service Stations in various parts of the State. The State Government had given its approval to create 984 posts in the Fire Services. Three police stations had been proposed to be set up in Bellary district - Hampi, Kuditini and Holalu, he said.

When his attention was drawn to the reported instructions from the Director-General of Police to put his photo in the police stations, Mr. Prakash said the Director-General had meant that the photograph of the top man in the department and of the

Inspector-General on duty should be put.

About the police gymkhanas, already set up in Bellary by then

Superintendent of Police Hemant Nimbalkar with public contribution and another was under construction in Belgaum, Mr. Prakash said that permission of the Government had not been sought and now the Government would take steps to ensure that its ownership was retained. Bylaws of Bellary gymkhana were being amended, he said.

When reminded that he had favoured levy of development cess on the movement of iron ore and utilise the same for development of the district, particularly for maintaining roads that were extensively damaged due to movement of heavy vehicles carrying iron ore, Mr. Prakash said the State Government had urged the Centre to enhance the royalty by about 15 per ent as the present rate was low.

MP's absence

About Bellary MP, MLC and Bellary Zilla Panchayat president and vice-president not being present at the official Independence Day function, Mr. Prakash said that he was not aware of the reasons for their absence.

(The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were reportedly unhappy with the State Government over Mr. Prakash being made the in-charge of the district and shifting Mr. Sriramulu from Bellary and making him in-charge of Gadag district.)

Earlier, Mr. Prakash hoisted the National Flag and took the salute at the district stadium.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Prakash said that the State Government had taken and would continue to take steps to deal terrorism and terrorists with an iron hand.

Mr. Prakash exhorted the people to develop courage and strength to fight terrorists who indulged in destabilising the unity and integrity of the country.

Mr. Prakash called upon the people to extend their cooperation to fight against poverty, illiteracy and population explosion. He said the coalition Government aimed at ensuring social justice for all.

Mr. Prakash honoured some of the freedom fighters and distributed agricultural implements and kissan credit cards.

The march past by the police, Home Guards, NCC and schoolchildren and karate by the students of School for Deaf and Dumb was among the major attractions on the occasion.

Deputy Commissioner Arvind Srivastav, in-charge Superintendent of Police D.C. Rajappa, and Chief Executive Officer C.M. Shirol were present.

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Prakash to press for funds from Centre for flood relief

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