The Hindu : Karnataka News : Do not tolerate ‘disrespect’ to State, MPs told

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Thursday, Jan 03, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Do not tolerate ‘disrespect’ to State, MPs told

Staff Correspondent

‘Infrastructure in State neglected’
Parochialism of politicians criticised

DAVANGERE: Kannada Chaluvali leader and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj has expressed surprise as to why MPs representing the State have not protested against Karnataka not been accorded due credit, especially in matters of infrastructure development and according classical language status to Kannada. He urged them not to tolerate any disrespect shown to the State and if need be resign, if Karnataka was not given its due.

Speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday, Mr. Nagaraj alleged that the Union Government had pandered to the demands of Sates such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, while it continued to neglect demands put forth by Karnataka.

He regretted that Kannadigas were being sidelined in matters of employment, and said agitations would be launched if matters were not set right. He said organisations working for the cause of Kannada and Kannadigas had chalked out a “rail roko” on January 27.

Employment policy

He said there was no definite employment policy in the State as a result of which Kannadigas were not given jobs in industries set up in Bangalore and other parts of the State.

Though the unification of Karnataka had been carried out 50 years ago, no Government had worked for the cause of Kannada and Kannadigas. The Sarojini Mahishi report was never implemented, he said, and added that even Kannada books had not been supplied to Kannadigas residing outside the State. He criticised the parochial nature of politicians in various governments for developing only districts to which they belonged to. Successive governments had failed to provide infrastructure in newly formed districts such as Davangere, Chamarajanagar, Koppal, he said, and demanded that the Governor publish a White Paper on funds allocated to each district by the two previous governments in the State.

Major role

He said Kannadigas in Goa had played a major role in making Goa an important tourist destination, by providing infrastructure, but the Government of Goa had completely ignored their contribution and had been trying to evict them from the State instead. He threatened that Kannada organisations would go to Goa to protest any ill-treatment of their brethren, and urged the Government to work towards their welfare.

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