Date:23/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/23/stories/2005122322110400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

More funds sought for Information Department

Staff Reporter

`Building has to be completed, vehicles have to be bought'

Other statements
The Information Department is finding it difficult to meet targets
No `Siddaramaiah effect' in panchayat elections in Hassan district
The Congress will come to power in the Hassan Zilla Panchayat

No tie-up with Janata Dal (S) in the district

BANGALORE: Information Minister B. Shivaram has said the budgetary allocation for his department must be enhanced considerably.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, he said the allocation for the department has remained meagre, and it has not been possible to achieve targets. He noted that for want of funds, the construction of a building for accommodating the department's offices on Infantry Road here has been abandoned. Work should be resumed and the building completed at the earliest, he said. (The Department demolished its old building, a heritage structure, and took up construction on the site.) The department needs new vehicles, he added.

On zilla and taluk panchayat elections, Mr. Shivaram, who is a Congress leader, said the "Siddaramaiah effect" is not evident in Hassan, his home district. He did not comment on reports that the former deputy chief minister could queer the pitch for the Congress in Hassan.