Date:22/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/22/stories/2007032213570400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Suvarna Gramodaya: dharna in Assembly

Special Correspondent

Members allege discrimination in the selection of villages

President Abdul Kalam launched the programme in February

Members' views not sought, says Opposition

BANGALORE: The entire Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday staged a dharna during question hour in protest against the "discrimination" by the Government in selecting villages under the Suvarna Gramodaya programme.

Replying to G. Nagamarapally, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj C.M. Udasi said that villages with a population between 2,000 and 8,000 had been selected in consultation with officials and leaders, and that the final decision vested with the Minister in-charge of districts. The Government's decision to give final powers to the Minister in-charge of districts sparked off a furore in the House.

Members called off the dharna following an assurance by the Government during a meeting convened by Speaker Krishna in his chamber that MLAs' opinions would be considered while selecting villages. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam launched the Suvarna Gramodaya programme last month.

After the meeting convened by the Speaker, Mr. Udasi told the House that in future the villages would be selected after obtaining views of local legislators. The programme would be implemented in the villages already selected, he said and called upon the members to give their suggestions for its effective implementation.

Earlier, Opposition members led by former deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (Congress), G. V. Sriramareddy (CPI-M), J. C. Madhuswamy (JD-U), K. Jayaprakash Hegde (Independent) and Vatal Nagaraj questioned the powers granted to Ministers in-charge of districts.

They alleged that the Minister in-charge of district was not a constitutionally recognised post and the Government had ignored MLAs of the Opposition. The views of MLAs had not been sought while selecting villages under the programme. They demanded immediate cancellation of a list villages selected under the programme.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said the Government had erred by not consulting members while identifying villages. Mr. Reddy said the programme was being implemented under the State sector and not under the panchayats. Araga Jnanedra (BJP) and Mr. Hedge sought changes in the norms adopted for selection of villages in Malnad areas.

B. Shivaram and Anjana Murthy (Congress) and Mr. Nagaraj alleged that the Government had been discriminating against Opposition MLAs while selecting the villages and launched the dharna in front of the Speaker.