CM promises Rs. 50 lakh for H-K history study

GULBARGA: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda admitted to the government’s mistake in issuing orders for the constitution of a history study committee for Hyderabad-Karnataka. He addressed the press here on Saturday that he has read the press reports in this regard. “A fresh order on constituting the expert committee with the same members and chairman will be issued soon. The government will provide a Rs. 50 lakh grant to the committee immediately to take up history study work. The committee will be asked to work in coordination with the Hyderabad-Karnataka Area Development Board,” he said. Gowda said that the report of the expert committee, chaired by Prof Vasant Kustagi, will be used in incorporating lessons in schools and colleges. “A Hyderabad-Karnataka Study Chair will be established in Gulbarga University,” he said.CM to Examine  Lokayukta ViolationChief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that officials have been instructed to go through the media reports about the alleged violation of plot rules by Lokayuta Justice V Shivaraj Patil.He addressed the media here on Saturday that he too would examine the reports. When asked whether the state would see a new Lokayukta, the chief minister replied that he will not make any statements hurriedly. On the CBI’s investigation of the Reddy brothers, Gowda said that everybody knew how the Congress is using the CBI for settling its scores against Opposition party leaders. He termed the recent price hike of petroleum products as unfair and added that the Centre’s suggestion to the states to reduce the VAT on petroleum products was a “funny”.  “I would decide on reducing the VAT later,” the CM said, adding, “I am not working under any compulsion.”