Bengaluru: "We have reached a small milestone—100 days of a secular, development-oriented coalition”. That’s how Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar summed up the performance of the JD(S)-Congress government which was sworn in on May 23 amid much fanfare with a galaxy of national leaders in attendance.
The fact that the government had completed a ‘century’ is enough to prove wrong the opposition’s prediction that the coalition will not last long, he said adding that the government is stable and will complete five years as well.
Listing several pro-people programmes implemented by the government in continuation of the welfare schemes announced by former CM Siddaramaiah in his budget, Dr Parameshwar said, “The most important is farm loan waiver with Rs 31,000 crore worth loans set to be waived. We are in the process of waiving private and personal loans too. Details regarding these are being collected.”
The DyCM also highlighted the work taken up by him as Bengaluru Development Minister and said the government has removed illegal optical fibre cables and flex boards and site allotment in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout has started. The work on Peripheral Ring Road has also begun at a cost of Rs 13,500 crore.
“A detailed project report has been prepared for the construction of two elevated corridors,” he added.
On charges levelled by BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa that his phone and that of former CM Siddaramaiah were being tapped by the coalition government, Dr Parameshwar vehemently denied that anything of this kind had happened. As for Cabinet expansion and appointment of chairpersons to state-run boards and corporations, he said this will be done after the urban local body elections.
Taking pot-shots at the Centre for failing to do its bit for flood-hit Kodagu, the Deputy CM said, “While the PM visited Kerala, undertook an aerial survey and announced financial aid, he has neglected Kodagu.” He said he and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy will be meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to appeal for financial aid for Kodagu. “We have already requested for Rs 2,000 crore,” he added.
