RailEnquiry

‘It is easier to administrate and implement programmes in small taluks’

The former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, MP, has said there is no need to take a relook at the decision to bifurcate bigger taluks.Mr. Singh, who was addressing a press conference here on Thursday, was referring to statements by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Revenue Minister V. Srinivas Prasad on the formation of new taluks. It was easier to administrate and implement government programmes in smaller taluks, he felt.The BJP government had made the announcement on the new taluks and now the Congress government should take further steps in this regard, Mr. Singh said.If needed, another committee could be constituted to look into the need for bifurcating more taluks, the former Chief Minister added.Mr. Singh said he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister. “Bigger taluks, particularly those in north Karnataka districts, posed problems for easy administration,” he added.Expressing happiness over the Railway portfolio going to M. Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr. Singh said an important portfolio had been given to Mr. Kharge at a critical juncture, just when the Lok Sabha polls were around the corner.“I am confident he will rise to the occasion and fulfil the aspirations of the people in the State, particularly Hyderabad Karnataka, by conceding long-pending demands such as establishment of a divisional Railway headquarters in Gulbarga, introduction of new trains to Bangalore, and expediting work on the Gulbarga-Bidar line.”

Asked if the Lok Sabha polls would be advanced, Mr. Singh said: “anything could happen in the fast-changing political scenario, now that the Janata Dal (United) has come out of the National Democratic Alliance. There are both advantages and disadvantages in holding early elections … nothing can be said for sure.”

To another question if Mr. Siddaramaiah would complete the full tenure of five years as Chief Minister, Mr. Singh countered: “why should he not?” However, “everything will be up to the party high command.”

“Mr. Siddaramaiah is a seasoned politician, and has held important government posts and also presented many budgets. He is doing good work as Chief Minister,” Mr. Singh said. His son, Ajay Singh, MLA, was present.