Bengaluru: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday assured a delegation of senior journalists drawn from major Kannada and English publications and from across the country including national news agencies that he would resolve the problem relating to the extension of lease of BBMP land on which news agency United News of India (UNI) had built its building more than 35 years ago, within two days, on a priority basis.
The lease of land of UNI building had expired a few years ago but BBMP had not extended the lease despite several requests from the news agency but, instead, in a surprise move the BBMP officials had seized the building recently resulting in stoppage of operations of the national news agency.
When the delegation of senior journalists headed by UNI Editor-in-Chief Ashok Upadhyay met the chief minister, Mr Yediyurappa said he was in favour of UNI and its requests will be considered.The chief minister said he was aware of the UNI issue and would ask the officials to place relevant files before him and assured that he would solve its problem.
Speaking to the chief minister Mr Upadhyay said UNI had not violated any court order but some BBMP officials had misguided the chief minister. ‘’Due to BBMP action, UNI staff members have been thrown on street and the operation of the news agency was severely
hampered due to non-operation of its South India headquarters in Bengaluru,’’ he said.
