Shettar demands scrutiny on developmental works in north Karna

: Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar today demanded a scrutiny on development work in North Karnataka region for which Rs 14,000 crore has been spent in the last eight years as per the Nanjundappa Committee report on regional imbalance.
Initiating a discussion on the implementation of Article 371(J) of the Constitution,giving special status for Hyderabad Karnataka region and Nanjundappa Committee on regional imbalance in the Assembly, he said in the last eight years from 2007-08 Rs 14,000 crore has been spent so far based on the recommendations of Nanjundappa Committee report.
"Implementation of the work based on the allocation of this fund needs to be examined. How many taluks have been developed needs to be evaluated," he said.

Reminding that he had earlier suggested to the government about seeking help from Centre for Multidisciplinary Development Research, Dharwad to evaluate this and Chief Minister Siddarmaiah had agreed to it, Shettar said "I had asked for a report on correspondence between government and CMDR... Till today I have not got it."
He demanded that the government conduct evaluation either with the help of CMDR or with the help of any other agency, and it has to be time bound.
Speaking on the implementation of Article 371(J) of the Constitution, giving special status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Shettar said prompt implementation of this would be a befitting reply to those raising voice for division of state.

He also pointed out BJP's efforts in getting High Court bench, South Western Railway Zone and Suvarna Vidhana Soudha to North Karnataka region.

He said Suvarna Vidhana Soudha at Belagavi should not be made active once or twice in a year when the session is held, and steps should be taken so that its facilities are used for the public work in some way.
"Suvana Vidhana Soudha is not waste, but it is a symbol of bond between north and south Karnataka. It is a symbol that resembles the sentiments of people from the region," he added.
Criticising the functioning of Hyderabad-Karnataka Area Development Board, Shettar said even 50 per cent of the allocated amount has not been used.

He also demanded that the government inform about the number of people who have benefited from the reservation provided in education and jobs for the region.
Accusing Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) of violating eight percent seat allotment norms to students from Hyderabad Karnataka region, Shettar asked what action can be expected from the government.