Govt. to seek report on light rail system

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 31. The State Government would seek, within three months, a report from the agency which is studying the feasibility of an elevated light rail system for Bangalore, the Leader of the House, Mr. H.K. Patil, told the Legislative Council today.

Replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, he said during Question Hour that a sum of Rs. 270 crores had been collected from 1995-96 in Bangalore as cess for the project at the rate of 25 paise and 10 paise on every litre of petrol and diesel, respectively. The money had been released to the Bangalore Metropolitan Rail Transport Corporation Ltd.

Mr. B.L. Shankar, who asked the question on behalf of Mr. S.V. Manjunath, Dr. V.S. Achar and Mr. P. Ramiah, pointed out that the proposal had been mooted nearly six years ago and cess was being collected, but the Government was still dithering on the feasibility report.

Suicide by farmers: The Minister for Agriculture, Mr. T.B. Jayachandra, stated that 59 farmers had committed suicide since 1994 and the reasons for them having taken the extreme step were crop failure, debts, failure of borewells and failure to get a good price for their crops. He told Mr. Basavaraj Horatti that Rs. 18 lakhs had been paid as compensation to the families of the deceased farmers.

Telephone bills: Several members pointed out that there had to be accountability in the expenditure on telephone bills for calls made by IAS and IPS officials from their residences.

Replying to Mr. Basavaraj Horatti's question, Mr. Patil said the Government had imposed restrictions on the use of telephones by officials. He said 264 IAS and 122 IPS officials had been provided with STD connection and 26 officials with ISD connection.

The expenditure on telephone connections provided at the residences and the offices, respectively, of IAS officials in 1998-99 was Rs. 40 lakhs and Rs.87.86 lakhs; 1999-2000 - Rs. 31.45 lakhs and Rs. 70.20 lakhs; and 2000-01 - Rs. 29.17 lakhs and Rs. 54.52 lakhs. In the case of IPS officials, the corresponding figures were: 1998-99 - Rs. 55.87 lakhs and Rs. 81.80 lakhs; 1999-00 - Rs. 41.80 lakhs and Rs. 60.59 lakhs; and 2000-01 - Rs. 31.89 lakhs and Rs. 51.66 lakhs.

Mr. M.C. Nanaiah, Mr. Horatti and others pointed out that while they were not against the officials having STD connections, there had to be some checks and balances.

Livestock insurance: The Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sugar, Mr. A. Krishnappa, replying to a question by Mr. P. Ramiah, said the Government was examining the feasibility of implementing a compulsory livestock insurance scheme in the State and was studying the pilot schemes undertaken by the Centre in nine districts in nine States.

Mr. Krishnappa said that insurance cover was necessary for livestock, especially milch cows, as many low-income families had invested in livestock. He said the Government was considering starting a veterinary university and four experts had been asked to give their opinion on the feasibility.

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