The Hindu : Karnataka News : State Election Commission decision unfortunate: Prakash

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Thursday, Aug 16, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

State Election Commission decision unfortunate: Prakash

Staff Correspondent

It has moved the Supreme Court against High Court decision on civic polls

Key buildings in Bangalore brought under special security zone
Well-equipped hospitals planned on national highways

M.P. Prakash

BELLARY: M.P. Prakash, Minister for Home, here on Wednesday described as unfortunate the State Election Commission’s decision to approach the Supreme Court against an order of the Karnataka High Court directing it to postpone the civic elections.

“I read about the State Election Commission (SEC) filing a Special Leave Petition in newspapers and I am not aware about the details. However, it is unfortunate as he (State Election Commissioner) is aware of the prevailing situation, especially in the wake of the damage caused by rain and floods and the Government is busy providing relief to the victims. Moreover, the State government, through the Chief Secretary, has made it clear that it is ready to hold elections by the end of September. Such being the situation, there was no need for the State Election Commission to go in for an appeal,” he said while responding to questions by presspersons.

Mr. Prakash, who is the district in-charge Minister, was here to participate in the 60th Independence Day celebrations at the district stadium.

The Minister said his department had brought Vidhana Soudha, Vikas Soudha, High Court, Legislators’ Home and Raj Bhavan in Bangalore under the special security zone.

Pointing out that around 400 personnel would be required for providing security, Mr. Prakash said they would be recruited. This would entail an additional expenditure of Rs. 2 crore annually.

To commemorate 50 years of the formation of the State, a large number of prisoners had been released last year. Following objections from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the judiciary over the release of prisoners serving life sentence within 10 years, the State Government had decided not to release any prisoner this year, the Minister said in reply to a question.

Mr. Prakash said the Government had decided to open well-equipped hospitals in 44 accident-prone areas on national highways passing through the State to provide quick medical care to victims of accidents.

Prisons

The Minister said the Government had decided to set up prisons in various districts, including Bagalkot, Chamarajanagar, Haveri and Chitradurga and also recruit personnel.

The process would begin soon, he said and added that fire stations would also be set up in taluks.

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