Date:30/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/30/stories/2005123021780300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

It will be R.K. Hegde Road from Mehkri Circle to Hebbal flyover

Staff Reporter

BMP Council unanimously adopts a resolution on renaming the road

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) on Thursday resolved to name the stretch of Bellary Road between Mehkri Circle and Hebbal flyover after the late former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.

A resolution to this effect was moved in BMP general meeting here by the Leader of the ruling party Ravindra and was unanimously passed by members. The palike empowered the Commissioner to strictly enforce use of Kannada on all advertisement hoardings displayed in the city. Although a resolution to this effect had been passed earlier, it was not implemented properly, Mr. Ravindra said.

To mark "Suvarna Karnataka" celebrations, BMP has resolved to open Kannada learning centres at its schools located in areas where non-Kannadigas are predominant. Classes will be conducted in evenings on four days in a week by retired teachers, the resolution said.

Puttanna cinema

Mayor Mumtaz Begum said a decision on handing over Puttanna Chitramandira in Jayanagar IV Block to private parties on contract will be taken within a week.

Responding to A.H. Basavaraju (Bharatiya Janata Party), the Mayor said she was aware of the condition of the cinema and the desire of Kannada filmstar Vishnuvardhana to revive the hall. But the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) members opposed a suggestion by BJP members to hand over the cinema to Mr. Vishnuvardhana.

The BMP officials said Rs. 3.5 crores was needed for the renovation of the cinema and the palike was not in a position to spend the amount.

MLA's allegation

Speaking about development works, Chamarajapet MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan (Janata Dal-S) alleged that BMP was not taking up any work in his constituency. He said the other MLAs from the city such as Ramalinga Reddy (Jayanagar), K. Chandrashekhar (Basavanagudi) and V. Somanna (Binnypet) were cornering all the projects. This evoked strong protests from the Congress corporators who said allegations should not be made against persons not present in the House. They said the MLAs had been corporators and they knew how to develop their constituencies.

But Mr. Khan threatened to resign from the Assembly if works were not taken up within 15 days in his constituency.

Petty shops

The Mayor assured the members to clear the premises of Victoria and Vani Vilas hospitals of over 250 unauthorised petty shops within 15 days. Responding to Mr. Khan's motion over the unauthorised petty shops, Ms. Begum said all those shops, which are not covered by stay orders from courts will be cleared and instructions will be issued to the Commissioner in this regard.