Bangalore: CM Orders Cancellation of 'La Tomatina' Fest
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Sep 16: Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has ordered cancellation of ‘La Tomatina’ fest scheduled to be organized at Bangalore Palace Grounds on September 18 and also at Mysore.
The Chief Minister has directed the Police Commissioners of Bangalore and Mysore to take appropriate steps to ensure that the cancellation order was strictly enforced.
Representatives of Kolar district tomato growers, environmentalists and few NGOs, who called on the Chief Minister in Bangalore on Friday, appraised him that, ''Tomatoes grown by farmers with huge effort is wasted by throwing on each other which represents Western Culture."
''In the name of organising 'La Tomatina’ fest, tomatoes should not be allowed to go waste," they demanded.
The delegation led by Jayanagar BJP ML B N Vijayakumar impressed upon the Chief Minister that a minimum 5,000 people were expected to participate in this fest. ''If 80-100 tomotoes are thrown by each individual 5 lac tomatoes go waste. Nearly 60,000 kgs. Tomatoes will be destroyed for the entertainment of the affluent," they said.
Responding ito the request, the Chief Minister directed the Police Commissioners of both the cities to take appropriate action.
DVS Urges Centre to Withdraw Hike in Petrol Prices
The Chief Minister urged the Congress-led UPA regime to take immediate steps to withdraw the latest steep hike in petrol prices as it will affect the common man and demanded that the Centre should not resort to increase in the prices again and again.
He also told reporters, who met him this morning at the Home Office Krishna, that he will examine reduction of sales tax imposed on Petroleum Products by the State Government.
Gowda also announced that he will be touring Koppal and campaign for the ruling BJP for two or three days after September 20. ''I will participate in the campaign as an ordinary worker and visit all the villages to campaign for the BJP candidate Karadi Sanganna," he said.
Govt to Give More Encouragement to Sports
The State Government will give more importance to sports and give priority to building sports facility and infrastructure along with training the sports persons.
The Chief Minister made the announcement during his interaction with trainees and employees working in Karnataka Sports Authority, who met him and requested new Pay Scales and C&R Rules for Karnataka Sports Authority.
Gowda said sports trainers were given as much importance as sports persons. Stadiums were being constructed in all districts. The trainers are responsible for creating excellent sporting talent. The revision of their salaries will be considered, he said promising talk to the officers in this regard.
A cash reward of Rs5 lac each has been sanctioned to four Hockey players who represented the State in the Indian Team which won the Asian Hockey Trophy recently.
Vikas Gowda, who is representing India in 2012 London Olympics, will be given Rs 50 lacs in the first installment for his training. All this is done to encourage sports in the State, the Chief Minister said.