Meeting of urban development ministers of southern states on October 30 in Bengaluru, Manohar Lal to attend: DK Shivakumar

Bengaluru, October 23 (IANS). Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Thursday that Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal has agreed to organize a conference of urban development ministers of southern states in Bengaluru on October 30. While talking to the media, Shivakumar said, ‘We will demand funds from the Center for the development of Bengaluru. Since the Union Minister himself will participate in this conference, we will put all our major demands on him. We have already demanded special allowances for Bengaluru several times from the Prime Minister and Union ministers.” Informing about the expansion of ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)’, Shivakumar said that he recently visited the border areas of Bengaluru Urban district. “There are a number of municipalities and nagar panchayats that are eligible to be included in the GBA boundaries,” he said. I called a meeting of officials on Friday. A committee headed by BS Patil is preparing a report on which areas can be added to the jurisdiction of GBA.” He further said that in this process, MPs, MPs, citizens and social organizations are also included in the discussion so that the decision can be taken unanimously. The Deputy Chief Minister said that he will interact directly with the public this weekend under the ‘Bengaluru Nadige’ (walk in Bengaluru) programme. After that he will meet representatives of IT-BT companies especially in Mahadevapura and KR Puram areas to discuss the urban infrastructure. Problems related to the structure can be discussed. Shivkumar said that the work of repairing roads and filling potholes in the city is continuously going on by the city administration. Officials were made responsible. In some places, we not only fill the potholes, but a new layer is laid. The work has slowed down a bit due to rain, but the work will be completed quickly once the rain stops. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra’s leadership remarks and some MPs On the issue of disciplinary action against him, Shivakumar said, “I will not comment on this subject at this time. I will reply at the appropriate time.” Confirming the manipulation of 6,000 votes in the Aland constituency, he said: “There is no doubt about it. This work was done through phone numbers. “The authorities have lodged a complaint and now the law will take its course.” –IANS ASH/DKP