A huge convention would be organised at Athani on February 16 wherein Chief Minister D.V. Sadanand a Gowda, Bharatiya Janata Party State president K.S. Eshwarappa and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would be invited and also would share the dais at the convention, said minister for cooperation Laxman Savadi on Saturday.
Speaking to media persons at Siruguppa taluk in Bellary, Mr Savadi said, “Mr Yeddyurappa is our leader. There is no doubt that Mr Yeddyurappa is our leader in the party.” When asked whether Mr Yeddyurappa has been sidelined in the BJP, Mr Savadi said, “The party high command would accord suitable position for Mr Yeddyurappa and it would happen at the right time.” In reply to another question on Mr Yeddyurappa’s visit to New Delhi, the Cooperation minister said, he had no specific information on Mr Yeddyurappa’s visit to New Delhi.
Mr Savadi expressed displeasure over the Union government’s move to impose tax on the profits earned by the cooperative societies and urged the Union government to “reconsider” its move to impose tax on the cooperative sector through an amendment to IT section AT-G act. Mr Savadi said, “Such a move would be detrimental for the cooperative sector and wanted the Members of Parliament of the State to exert pressure o the Union government to drop the move to impose tax on cooperative sectors.”
Adding, he said, “If MPs of the State do not prevail upon the Union government to reconsider its decision on imposing tax on cooperative sector, then, fight to exempt the cooperative sector from tax imposition would be taken-up by the State government.”
He told the gathering that the State government targets to disburse loans to about 25 lakh families at one per cent interest through cooperative banks of the State. Besides, there are plans to start services rendering by the Nemmadi Kendras by launching ‘Raitra Mane Bagilige Seve’ through cooperative unions so that rural people can avail maximum benefits at their door steps. MLCs N Thippanna, Mrutunjaya Jinga, Koppal MP Shivrame Gowda, ZP president Anitha Thippareddy and others were present.
