Bengaluru: In an indication that the new BJP government will not be pursuing the previous government's plea for a state flag, tourism, Kannada and culture minister , C T Ravi said here on Thursday that there was no Constitutional provision for such a flag.
“It is one nation and one flag. There is no Constitutional provision for a second flag. At the most, a state can have a cultural flag,'' he told reporters here.
The last coalition government in the state had sent a proposal to the Centre to give the state flag a Constitutional status. But close on the heels of the Centre abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution and abolishing the Kashmir flag, Mr Ravi has echoed the BJP's "One nation - one flag" stance.
He said this, however, did not apply to anthems as all states could have their own. The new government also appears to be keen on introducing changes in the way birth anniversaries of prominent individuals are celebrated in Karnataka .
Noting that the Kannada and culture department "was burdened" with celebrating the birth anniversaries of over 25 personalities in a year, Mr Ravi said, "The celebrations are becoming meaningless as there is a huge difference between the way the personalities lived and the way they are honoured. It is becoming more about appeasing specific groups and communities."
The minister added that the department was considering reorienting the way these birth anniversaries were celebrated and would call a meeting of leaders from all communities and political parties to discuss more meaningful celebrations.
Mr Ravi also contended that it was now neccessary to teach Kannada to children of Kannadigas as many were not learning the language due to exposure to English medium education. "The department will take the initiative to teach Kannada to such children," he said.
Also observing that the state had so far not exploited its full tourism potential, he said instead of a comprehensive plan to develop a tourism circuit, the department and the government had been trying to please everyone here too. "But now the department will come up with a pilot project for comprehensive development of a tourism circuit and place it before the cabinet. The state government will also take suggestions from the Tourism Task Force headed by Infosys Foundation chairperson, Sudha Murthy, on the use of CSR funds of the corporate sector for development of tourism circuits in Karnataka," he added.
fter much dilly-dallying, the State government has finally handed over documents to the Justice Kempanna Commission which is probing the Arkavathy denotification scam.
Sources in the commission told Deccan Chronicle that as many as 23 boxes containing the documents reached the office around 1 pm. The boxes were sealed and locked.
They would be opened before the designated officials in a day or two. "We need to cross check whether all files as mentioned in the list of documents handed over the commission are there or not".
Sources noted that the exact number of pages was known but it would be known only after opening the boxes. The commission had to ensure that all the documents sought by the commission had been handed over to avoid any confusion in the coming days. "Our work has now started", sources added.
Sources said as many as 72 petitions had been received by the commission till date which included 13 after the deadline fixed to submit petitions. One more petition was filed before the commission on Thursday.
The process of scrutiny of petitions and affidavits has been completed. Of the total 72 petitions received, a couple of petitioners have alleged the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner Shyam Bhat in denotification of land earmarked for the Arkavathy layout. Interestingly, no political party has filed any petition pertaining to the denotification scam though the JD(S) and BJP have been crying hoarse over it.
