Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Sep 8: "The state government headed by Congress is in a deep slumber, like its chief minister who has the habit of slipping into sleep frequently. Although heavy rains have wreaked havoc in nine districts in the state, the government has not even conducted the work of surveying the areas to assess losses. No one is taking steps to mitigate the plight of people who have lost their houses and crops due to unduly heavy rains," observed state BJP president, Prahlad Joshi.
He was speaking to media persons at Shirva in the taluk after taking part in the meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organized at Kutyar here on Sunday September 7.
Joshi said, "As per rough estimates, over two lac hectares of agricultural land in the state has suffered crop loss due to excessive rains, particularly in districts of northern Karnataka. Crops like green gram, jowar and peanuts have suffered the most. About 10,000 houses have crumbled, over 300 bridges have been damaged and about 3,000 km of road has suffered extensive damages."
"The department of agricultural and staff of statistical department has not even conducted survey work under the cover of staff shortage. The chief minister, who is expected to take up relief work on war footing, has not even undertaken aerial survey or video conferencing for assessing the loss," he pointed out.
Joshi also decried the government's move of appointing ministers as heads of house committees engaged with the task of looking into certain issues relating to energy department and NICE roads. Terming this as a bad precedent, he said that the BJP stoutly opposes this practice and expresses the apprehension that powerful ministers might steer the working of these committees as per their own diktats and directions.
When questioned, Joshi concurred with the view that the BJP has suffered some embarrassment on account of the Karthik Gowda episode. He said he cannot come in support or comment against anyone relating to this issue, as the allegations are not yet proved. He felt that police, law and courts will together bring out the truth behind this episode.
District BJP president Vikramarjun Hegde, party spokesperson Mattar Ratnakar Shetty and several leaders were present.