BELAGAVI
Implementation of the Mhadei water diversion project and the dilapidated routes to Goa are likely to be discussed as a top priority during the 10-day Winter Session of the Karnataka State Legislature that will be underway from Monday.
Entire government machinery including the top bureaucrats have descended in Belagavi while the Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah, Dy CM D K Shivakumar, and their cabinet colleagues are likely to land in Belagavi Monday morning. The Session will be held from December 4 to December 15 at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha here.
Addressing media persons on Sunday at the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, U T Khader said the government has made elaborate arrangements to hold the session effectively for all the 10 days. Khader also said that he would try to set aside more time for discussions on all major issues about the state and also give ample time to discuss the issues of North Karnataka's problems. “ Some of the issues relating to North Karnataka about the implementation of the Mhadei water diversion issue with Goa and Upper Krishna Project are likely to be discussed on priority,” Khader said. Speaker of the Legislative Council Basavraj Horatti also briefed the media about the discussions that would be held in the Legislative Council.
Traders from the city said that they would meet the concerned state authorities to take up the repairs and completion of all the routes to Goa as the business has taken a big hit due to the dilapidated approach roads between Belagavi and Goa. “ We appeal Karnataka CM Siddaramiah and authorities to take note of these dilapidated routes to Goa as they are affecting our business which is mostly dependent on Goa,” Suresh Porwal of The Raymond Shop said.
Belagavi city has taken a fortified look as heavy security arrangements have been made given the session. Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil said the Belagavi district administration has made all the arrangements to hold the session effectively. Belagavi Police Commissioner S N Siddaramappa said that more than 5000 policemen were being deployed to ensure that the session was held without any hassles.
On the other hand the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti which is demanding the merger of Belagavi and other border areas in Maharashtra will be holding a parallel protest rally at Tilakwadi here.
Meanwhile, Goans visiting Belagavi are likely to face huge inconvenience “Hotels are all occupied till December 15. There is no room available as the district authorities have blocked all the rooms. Only for the hotels that have been pre-booked for marriages and functions only 10 percent of rooms have been allotted, “ President of the Belgaum Hotel Owners Association Ajay Pai said. He also appealed to Goans to visit Belagavi for a stay only after December 15. “We have told all our regular customers to come to Belagavi for a stay only after December 15,” he ascertained.
