Final Decision On Internal Reservation On March 27: Siddaramaiah

Bagalkot: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the state government will take its final decision on the internal reservation issue in Karnataka in a meeting scheduled for March 27.

Speaking to reporters at the Navanagar helipad in Bagalkot on Saturday, he said the meeting has been convened to discuss the matter in detail on March 27.

“We will make the final decision regarding domestic reservations that day,” he said.

To a question about by-elections in Davangere and Bagalkot, the Chief Minister said the dates could be announced within a week.

“We are ready for the by-election. We have made all our preparations,” he said.

Asked about the possible candidate for whom several members of the family of former Bagalkot MLA HY Meti are seeking the party ticket, Siddaramaiah said the decision will be taken by the party high command.

“Family members also want to buy party tickets. Anyone can want it, but even if more than one person from the same family does it, the high command will decide,” he added.

Answering questions about LPG shortage, Siddaramaiah said that smooth supply of cylinders is the responsibility of the Government of India.

“The state government is distributing cylinders provided by the Centre. The Food Minister has already held two meetings on the issue. I have also written to the minister concerned to take steps to prevent any shortage,” he added.

Responding to allegations that no funds have been allocated in the budget for the Krishna Upper Bank Project, Siddaramaiah said that the distribution of compensation checks to the families affected by the project has started and the payments will be completed in the next three-four years.

Addressing allegations that the groundbreaking ceremony for the medical college and the release of Rs 40 lakh each for statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Basavanna during the by-election period was an election fraud, Siddaramaiah questioned why the BJP did not establish the medical college during its four-year rule.
“They were in power for four years, so why didn’t they do it?” he asked.

He said that the tender process of the project was completed and the agency finalized it, and the foundation stone was laid with the start of the work.

The Prime Minister also said that the dream of late leader HY Meti was realized by laying the foundation stone for the establishment of Government Medical College, which was envisioned and strongly pursued by him.