Karnataka CM Shivakumar seeks Union Govt’s help on farm loan waiver, defends Parks Bill withdrawal
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday urged the Union Govt to waive farm loans in the State amid the drought situation and called on BJP leaders to join him in pressing the demand in New Delhi.
The CM also defended his Government’s decision to withdraw the contentious Parks Bill, which allows five per cent of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, saying the move was meant to facilitate a debate and make people aware of its objectives. He criticised the BJP for claiming victory over the Bill’s withdrawal, calling the party “anti-development” and saying it was responsible for any “curse” facing Bengaluru. “You have seen the BJP and JD(S)’ politics. There was no discussion on farmers and the drought situation during the recent legislature session. That’s the reason the special session has been called,” Shivakumar said ahead of his visit to drought-affected areas in Bagalkote and Vijayanagar districts.
Speaking to reporters, he said BJP and JD(S) legislators had themselves expressed displeasure over the lack of an opportunity to discuss the drought situation during the recently concluded monsoon session, adding that ruling Congress legislators had voiced similar concerns.
“I want to help them. The central Government should also provide funds. There is a need to take an all-party delegation. BJP state president BY Vijayendra has demanded a farm loan waiver. The central Government should take responsibility for the farm loan waiver, as the prime minister himself said that this is a drought,” he said, urging Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka to join him in Delhi to press the demand, since the union Government had control over the matter.
The State legislature’s special session has been convened from September 21 to 23 to discuss the drought situation, the related agrarian crisis and the Kasturirangan report on the proposed Western Ghats eco-sensitive zone.
Responding to Opposition criticism branding him “U-turn Shivakumar” over the Bill’s withdrawal, the CM denied doing any U-turn.
“Why should I do a U-turn? I would have explained the Bill to them in the Assembly, but they did not participate in the discussion during its passage,” he said.
The Karnataka Cabinet decided to withdraw the Bill on Thursday. It had sought to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, to permit alienation of up to five per cent of park land - through sale or lease, subject to the ceiling and other safeguards - for public utility and infrastructure projects.
Shivakumar said he would release documents on what happened to parks during the BJP Governments of BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. “Let there be a discussion. I don’t have anything that Lalbagh land should be used for (the tunnel road project). We have thought about other places as well. But what else can be done? Give us an alternative,” he said, recalling that the BJP had also opposed the steel bridge project proposed by the previous Siddaramaiah Government.
“They (BJP) are anti-development. If there is any curse for Bengaluru, BJP is the reason for it. They have not started a single project for the city,” he added.
Noting that he could not use the language Vijayendra and Ashoka employed against him given his position as chief minister, Shivakumar said, “With utmost respect and humility, I appeal to them to have control over their tongue. Give respect to the position I’m holding. Several BJP leaders, including Vijayendra’s father Yediyurappa, have also held this position in the past.”
While acknowledging the opposition’s right to raise demands and object to Government decisions, he denied that the Parks Bill was intended to facilitate the sale of park land, as alleged.
“The Bill was not aimed at selling off park land as projected by the opposition. I may not be as educated as them, but I have basic common sense. Will anyone sell the park land? What the opposition had done to parks during their tenure, I will release it. Don’t instigate me. I can get all the records,” he said.
Shivakumar said the Bill was withdrawn to allow for discussion and that he remained open to suggestions, though the Government had to take decisions in certain situations.
He pointed out that a legislator’s home, the High Court’s parking facility, the Press Club and the Indira Gandhi fountain had all been built on Cubbon Park land in the past.
“Certain decisions have been made in the past depending on the situation. These things should be kept in mind instead of claiming that Shivakumar got afraid and took a U-turn,” he said.
Rejecting the allegation that the Bill was introduced to facilitate the tunnel road project, Shivakumar said that if the BJP opposed tunnel road projects, it should also oppose similar projects in Maharashtra and Delhi. “Suggest traffic solutions. Can we ask people not to buy vehicles?” he asked.
On allegations of embezzlement of crores of rupees from the state-run Valmiki ST Development Corporation, Shivakumar said B Nagendra had resigned voluntarily and respectfully. “But the BJP is doing a padayatra (foot march). Let them do it. You will see my yatra too,” he said.
Responding to BJP claims that more ministers could resign, he said, “Let them do it; they can create anything. Some say that they will remove me too. Most welcome, let them try and succeed. If I have done anything wrong, I will have to face it.”
Shivakumar said the governor had sent him files on requests for prosecution sanctions against Nagendra, BJP leaders Janardhan Reddy, Renukacharya and others, but he had neither seen nor legally examined them. “Without examining, I won’t make any decision,” he said.
