Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, questioned the existence of Karnataka-Railway Infrastructure Development Corporation (K-RIDE) and expressed concern over the State government spending huge funds for railway infrastructure projects through the body.
The present requirement for the projects already committed was around Rs.10,000 crore in addition to land acquisition, he said, and added that it was time to have a re-look at the existence of the corporation. Mr. Shivakumar said that the government did not have the capacity to fund railway projects as it was the responsibility of Union government to create railway infrastructure in States.
The issue cropped up when Captain Ganesh Karnik (retd.) of the BJP tried to congratulate Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who also served as Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, during the Zero Hour.
Ruling party members exploited the opportunity to congratulate Congress Floor Leader in the Lok Sabha and former Railway Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge, and JD(S) member M.C. Nanaiah suggested to include all those elected to the Lok Sabha while adopting a congratulatory motion.
When V. Somanna of the BJP tried to credit the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa for initiating K-RIDE, ruling party members argued that the credit of setting it up must go to the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.
Intervening in the debate, Mr. Shivakumar said those instrumental in floating K-RIDE had committed a mistake.