It has become a routine for the State government to form expert committees before taking major decisions, which is also a ploy to buy more time to resolve issues. But there are times when reports by these committees put the government in an embarrassing position, resulting in them being put in cold storage.
The best example is constitution of the three expert committees on shortening the ‘Naada Geethe’ (State anthem). The third committee, headed by poet Channaveera Kanavi, had suggested trimming the length from four minutes to 90 seconds. But sources said the government set aside that report and decided that it should be sung in full length of 44 lines. However, Minister Umashree — who was recently elevated to the Cabinet rank — said the government was yet to take a decision. Similar is the fate of recommendations of the panel on selecting the Rashtrakavi. Though the State earlier conferred the Rashtrakavi title on well-known writers M. Govinda Pai, Kuvempu and G.S. Shivarudrappa, the search committees headed by Ko. Channabasappa suggested abolition of the title itself. He noted that having a Rashtrakavi in a democratic State is against the spirit of the Constitution. On this issue too, Ms. Umashree said a final decision would be taken after discussing with the Chief Minister.
Embroidery as a
style statement
Jalaja Naik, Chairperson of Karnataka Tanda Development Corporation, that the ethnic embroidery of the Lambani community has “brand value” and it can be promoted by wearing them in public programmes, marriages and festivals.
Ms. Naik is often seen wearing ethnic clothes in public programmes and gifts them to dignitaries whenever the occasion arises. She said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi were impressed with the Lambani embroidery. Ms. Naik recently gushed, “Madam (Ms. Gandhi) was very impressed with the Lambani embroidery sari. She sought more information from me on the traditions and cultural practices of the community.”
Enthused by this, the Congress leader said centres would be opened to train youths in Lambani embroidery in all tandas of the State.
Reddy not happy
being Kolar in-charge
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy seems unhappy with the recent reshuffling of district in-charge Ministers. Mr. Reddy, who earlier saw no merit in a separate Minister for Bengaluru, is reportedly upset about being no longer in-charge of the city.
Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George has now been made in-charge of Bengaluru Urban district. He was earlier in-charge of Kodagu district. Mr. Reddy has been given the charge of Kolar, one of most backward districts of the State.
The Transport Minister has always been associated with Bengaluru and the BBMP. Rumours are abuzz that Mr. Reddy had written to the Chief Minister, asking that he be immediately relieved of his responsibilities as Kolar district in-charge, and that he had sufficient work at hand as the Transport Minister. However, Mr. Reddy has denied this.
Several legislators are also not too happy. Privately, they said, “Mr. Reddy is a better candidate to look after the city than Mr. George, since he is aware of all issues and available at all times. In fact, Mr. Reddy has been opposing a separate Bengaluru Development portfolio. His claim is that such a portfolio should be under the Chief Minister as he manages finance too.
Speaker fumes over absence of Ministers
Is the Congress government serious about conducting the legislature session?” asked veteran legislator and Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa on Thursday.
The absence of Ministers in the Assembly irked the Speaker so much that he questioned Congress’s commitment to hold the session. A majority of the Ministers against whom questions were listed during the Question Hour were absent.
“Is this a joke? I come here every day, on time at this age. What is happening? One should feel privileged about getting an opportunity to come and sit here as a Minister,” he remarked. Members of the Opposition too blasted the government on the absence of Ministers and said, “There seems to be a problem with the government, it is not alive.”
Mr. Thimmappa also expressed disappointment over the “unsatisfactory” response by Ministers to a couple of questions raised by members during the Question Hour.
He said that “the Ministers should attend the House while in session. We meet for just 10 or 15 days. Despite that if we don’t attend, what’s the use?” he asked.
Muralidhara Khajane,
Veerendra P.M., and
Nagesh Prabhu
