Date:04/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/04/stories/2007020402150500.htm

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Karnataka - Bangalore

It is a government of assurances: Dharam Singh

Special Correspondent

Former Chief Minister dares coalition to a public debate

Government accused of failure on all fronts

Break-up of funds spent on projects sought

N. Dharam Singh

BANGALORE: Coming down heavily on the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party Government on the occasion of the first anniversary of its formation, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh on Saturday said that the achievement of the coalition government was "zero."

Addressing presspersons here, he challenged the Government to participate in a public debate in this regard with the Congress.

Mr. Singh alleged that the coalition government had failed on all fronts. He described the coalition government as a "government of assurances" and not that of "development." The Government had failed to properly implement the drought relief measures though 128 taluks were suffering from drought. It had also failed to utilise the Central funds completely. Hence some of the Central funds had lapsed, he claimed.

Mr. Singh urged the Government to give a break-up of the funds spent for various budgetary programmes to understand the real status of implementation of development works.

Expressing shock over the murder of Congress leader Gurupadappa Nagamarapally's son in Bidar, Mr. Singh said the incident was a pointer to the failure of law and order situation in the State. The Congress would raise the issue in the ongoing legislature session.