Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 15: The heads of the legislature have mooted a proposal to present mementoes to all its 300 legislators by way of golden biscuits embossed with replica of Vidhana Soudha on the occasion of this illustrious structure's diamond jubilee celebrations. Each of these golden biscuits will cost Rs 50,000. All the employees in the secretariat too will get silver plates worth Rs 5,000 each. It is said that the government has given its nod for this proposal.

Already the proposal of the government to spend Rs 26.87 crore for the diamond jubilee celebrations of a building, construction cost of which was mere Rs 1.75 crore, is receiving severe criticism.

The people in general have no objection to holding a function under the presidentship of President of India on the milestone of a building that has drawn appreciation for its architectural grandeur. But spending money lavishly is facing bitter opposition as the general public find it unwarranted and extravagant. The people keep questioning as to why the current legislators should be rewarded in commemoration of a building in the construction of which they had no role.

The farmers are facing problems on account of drought and the state government has not given its share for loss of crop this year, citing financial constraints, it is gathered. Families of farmers who committed suicide are still waiting for full compensation promised to them in the past. A large number of farmers are suffering this year on account of untimely floods. Therefore people have been questioning the desirability of giving costly gifts to legisaltors and employees when the government is facing financial constraints in the matter of many things like the above as well as in undertaking development works.

JD(S) MLC, Basavaraj Horatti, also expressed his opposition to this proposal, citing that legislators are not poor people and their image will fall in the eyes of the people if they get such costly gifts. Saying that such things will undermine the stature and self respect of legislators, he said he is firmly opposed to the proposal.

Former chairman of legislative council, B L Shankar, also feels that holding of symposium and release of books to introduce the greatness of the building and its architectural marvel to the new generation would have been a better way to celebrate diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha. He opposed this extravagance.

Freedom fighter, H S Doreswamy, said that programme of such a large scale was unnecessary on the diamond jubilee of the building housing the state legislator. He said that the government does not have the right to waste public money and that he abhors the concept of gifting the legislators.