We have kept our word, says DVS

BANGALORE: Claiming that he has kept his promise of providing an effective and efficient administration without any controversies, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that he is keen to usher in more reforms in order to make the governance transparent and people-friendly. “I am satisfied by the way I have functioned during the last three months. I have been as transparent and effective as it is possible in my functioning. I am keen to further improve the administration,” the chief minister said on Saturday, on the occasion of his completing three months in office. Maintaining that the financial position was sound enough to carry out developmental activities as well as face the drought situation in about 99 taluks, Gowda said he intends to lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi and seek finanncial assistance to tackle drought. The estimated loss due to crop damage is Rs 2,830 crore, he said.“However, I will not shirk from my responsibility. Irrespective of whether the Centre provides funds or not, the state government will take all necessary steps to mitigate the problems being faced by the people on account of drought. I have informed the Leaders of Opposition of both the houses about the steps taken by the government on this issue,” the chief minister added.  According to Gowda, there is neither credibility nor logic in the criticism of the Opposition about the financial position of the state government.  “There has been a 22 per cent increase in tax collection from four sources when compared with the corresponding period last year,” he said. The chief minister went on to add: “The percentage of increase in tax collection from excise is 16 per cent while the same in commercial taxes is about 24 per cent. In stamps and registration, the increase is by 32 per cent and in transport the increase in tax collection is about 6 percent.”  On the proposed global agricultural summit to be held in December, the chief minister exuded confidence that the state government will get an investment of at least Rs 50,000 crore in the agricultural and allied sectors which, in turn, will trigger an all-round development in the state.