Oppn sticks to its guns on 4th day too

BANGALORE: For the fourth day in succession, the opposition in the Legislative Council did not budge from its demand for constitution of a joint house committee to probe into alleged irregularities in drought relief work, forcing suspension of proceedings.
Official business could not be transacted for the entire day with the war of words between the opposition and the ruling benches showing no signs of abating.When the House met in the morning, the opposition resumed the dharna, reiterating their demand. House leader H.K. Patil explained the futility of the demand to the opposition but in vain, forcing chairman B.L. Shankar to adjourn the House till 3 pm.
The status quo continued in the afternoon session which resumed at 4 pm. Patil said: “The government is not interested in conducting business without you. There are several pending questions before the House that needs to be taken and important issues that need to be discussed.’’ Patil said the Centre has formed a vigilance committee to hear complaints. Legislators head the district level task force committees.
The purpose of these committees would be defeated if the joint house committee is constituted. When there was no sign of any let up in the opposition and the government’s stand, Shankar adjourned the House for the day.
Proposal with Centre: The state government has submitted to the Centre a Rs 135.95 crore project to construct a permanent wall to prevent the damage due to sea erosion in coastal areas, Fisheries and ports minister Vasanth Salian told the Legislative Council on Monday. Replying to the question raised by K.C. Kondaiah (Congress), Salian said the project was first submitted in 2000 at the cost of Rs 141.005 crore. The project was revised and submitted in 2001 at the cost of Rs 176.207 crore.