Date:12/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/12/stories/2006101215020300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Solution will be sought to problems in border areas : MLC

Staff Correspondent

BELLARY: `Mukhyamantri' Chandru, MLC, cine actor and convenor of the Kannada Nudi-Kannada Gadi Jatha, has said that a report will be submitted to the Government, urging it to redress the grievances of people in border areas at the earliest.

He told presspersons here on Wednesday that after the "jatha" that would cover 48 border taluks, a meeting of all sections of the society would be convened in Bangalore in November for discussing

the state of Kannada language and the problems in the border areas. A report would be submitted to the Government he said.

Mr. Chandru said that the common complaint he had received during the tour of border taluks was with regard to lack of education facilities in Kannada medium schools and lack of job opportunities to "Gadinaada Kannadigas."

The Government should make arrangements to post pro-Kannada officers in these taluks, he said.

The "jatha" was not against encouraging MNCs to set up their units in the State, but the Government should ensure that they would provide employment opportunities to Kannadigas.

Decision condemned

He condemned the decision on teaching English from the first standard. The Government should have held discussions with experts, before taking a decision.

"We are not against teaching English. But the government should have

discussed the issue with language experts and others before taking a decision,", he said.

Mr. Chandru felt that the Dr. D.M.Nanjundappa Committee report on redressal of regional imbalance was not being implemented properly.

Mr. Chandru urged the Government to allocate separate funds for the purpose.