K'taka: Decision on President rule by Thursday

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj on Wednesday told Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa that he expects the Centre's decision on his recommendation for the imposition of the President's rule in the state by Thursday.

Apparently awaiting the Centre's move, Bhardwaj asked Yeddyurappa to wait for a day or two for his decision on the state cabinet recommendation for convening the assembly   from June 2.

A ministerial delegation, led by Yeddyurappa, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and requested him to give approval for convening the assembly session, which the Cabinet on May 16 said was necessary to pass the full budget for better implementation of the development programmes.

Earlier, vote on account for four months (till July 31, 2011) had been approved by the Karnataka legislature. Yeddyurappa said Bhardwaj told the delegation that a clear response has not come from the Centre on his recommendation and he expects it on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Governor told the CM to "wait for one day (regarding consent for the session)." Yeddyurappa said the Governor assured him that he would "let us know his decision (on convening of the session) in a day or two."

Initially, on May 13, the State Cabinet had resolved to urgently convene both Houses of the Legislature from May 16 but there was no response from the Governor's office (on approval by the Governor), Yeddyurappa said in a letter submitted to Bhardwaj during the meeting.

Subsequently, the Cabinet again met on May 16 and resolved to convene the session from June 2. Noting that the Karnataka government had presented a separate agriculture budget, he said several seasonal schemes had been announced in it including "Suvarna Bhoomi" and the programme for desiltation of tanks.

"Such schemes have to be substantially implemented before the onset of monsoon. This year, there have been some early rains in several parts of the State and hence it has become imperative to advance the schedule in respect of some of these schemes," Yeddyurappa said.

"Further, these programmes require large part of spending in the first three to four months itself. This will not be possible with the present vote on account which allow for expenditure of only 1/3rd of the budgeted outlays," he said.

Hence, the CM said, it is essential and appropriate that in the interest of the development of the State, the full budget should be passed by the Legislature at the earliest.

Yeddyurappa said he has convened a meeting of secretaries of all departments on May 26 to discuss implementation of development works.

Yeddyurappa later held a meeting with his ministerial colleagues at his official chamber in Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat) and discussed the ongoing political developments.