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Cong. member's remarks trigger protest in Council

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore March 26. The criticism by V.R.Sudarshan (Congress) in the Legislative Council today of the J.H.Patel Government on the slow pace of economic reforms resulting in non-release of World Bank loans to the power sector, and a remark about North Karnataka leaders triggered a strong protest by the Opposition members.

Mr. Sudarshan, who was speaking on the Budget, read out a letter signed by the former Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and the then Principal Secretary (Finance), C.Gopal Reddy, mentioning the slowness in economic reforms being a factor for not getting the World Bank loan for the power sector.

However, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Rajasthan secured the loan, he added.

He also accused the previous government of not implementing development activities as it could not get loans from the World Bank, while it was not so in the case of the Krishna Government.

Intervening, M.P.Prakash, who was in the J.H.Patel Cabinet, said Patel was the first President of the KEB Union. While participating in a function, Patel had said that the board employed more than 40,000 people and one should be careful while carrying out reforms as it would affect them. Patel had said the KERC had been constituted to go into such issues.

Mr. Prakash did not agree with Mr. Sudarshan and said it should not be construed that the State Government was not qualified to get the loans just because it did not carry out reforms.

Privatisation was not easy and it went against socialism. The Congress, which claimed to espouse socialism, should not talk lightly, he said and corrected the ruling party member that the World Bank had not made any adverse remarks against the State Government.

Again when Mr. Sudarshan accused the Patel Government of doing nothing for North Karnataka, Basavaraj Horatti reminded him of the creation of seven districts.

Mr. Horatti regretted that not a single district or road had been named after him (Patel). B.S.Yediyurappa (BJP) suggested installing Patel's statue in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in any district.

The Leader of the House, H.K.Patil, said a street had been named after Patel in Gadag, but Mr. Horatti said it had been changed now.

Mr. Patil said that he would look into it and see that Patel's name was restored.

Alkod Hanumanthappa and M.P.Nadagouda said Congress members should be ashamed for not doing anything for North Karnataka's development.

Mr. Sudarshan criticised the Union Government for not coming out with a national river water policy which would end the quarrel among States over sharing of river waters.

He called for a separate corporation for development of minor irrigation, and hailed the Budget as pro-people.

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