Sunil Lohan
“State’s development at a standstill due to Congress infighting”.
The negligence of the Forest Department is the reason behind the deaths of tigers,and a comprehensive investigation must be conducted with strict action against the guilty,demanded former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday,he said society and the government both place high importance on tigers.Even the accidental death of a single tiger is a serious issue.
In this case,the death of a mother tiger and four cubs is truly shocking.Such a major incident clearly shows the Forest Department’s negligence.
The protected tiger reserve areas are being opened up to heavy human presence.Resorts are being allowed next to tiger sanctuaries.
People are going on picnics right beside tiger habitats. Despite all this,the Forest Department is turning a blind eye, he alleged.
Send officers into the forest:
He said Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers should be sent from Bengaluru into the forests.During their time, they had relocated all forest offices to areas near forests.
Now,they have all been moved back to Bengaluru.Most IFS officers are stationed in Bengaluru.Apart from forest guards, there is no one to protect the forests.
Officers continue to stay in Bengaluru under newly created posts.Who is actually administering the forests seriously?.
There is destruction of forests,illegal trafficking, increasing human-wildlife conflicts,growing tourist resorts and crowds.
Moreover,Bommai said,due to an order from a Congress top leader,there is pressure to allow night-time vehicular movement on the Bannerghatta Road.
The tiger deaths are completely due to negligence,and there must be a full investigation into the matter. Whoever is guilty must face action.
In the past,tigers were killed for their skins.A full probe is needed to determine if such an incident has occurred again
Zero development :
Responding to a question about a statement that a “revolution will happen in Congress in September”,the former CM said let’s see whether it’s a revolution or confusion. People are already confused about this Congress government.
” I won’t speak much about Congress’ internal matters. Because of their infighting, there’s no development happening. Even before the infighting, guarantees pushed development to zero.
Karnataka is caught in a debt trap.The state is financially bankrupt. Despite collecting Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 crore in additional taxes, there is still a shortage of funds. Where is all the money going?”
Corruption in all 224 constituencies:
Responding to Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s statement that there are no direct corruption allegations against him,Bommai said,it’s not just about B.R. Patil’s constituency but there’s corruption in all 224 Assembly constituencies.
If there is misappropriation in the housing allotments within the department, who is responsible? Saying ‘I have no connection’—what does that mean?,he questioned.
If corruption has happened, investigate and jail the guilty — then one can say justice is being done.It’s been 15 days since MLA B.R.Patil raised the issue,yet no action has been taken.
That clearly indicates that corruption involves people from the top to the bottom.The CM says he will call and talk—but just calling and talking,how does that solve anything?.
I didn’t expect the CM to be this helpless.This is a government filled with weakness and helplessness,”he charged.
Senior leaders’ decision is final:
On the matter of appointing the BJP state president and national president,Bommai said,the process will begin soon.
Senior leaders will make a decision at the earliest. Whether state president Vijayendra will be replaced or continue— it’s not possible to predict.
The final decision lies with the senior leaders. Once their decision is made,everyone will know.
