Bengaluru, Oct. 08: Holding the local district administration responsible for the crackers explosion tragedy in Attibele on Saturday, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said the issuing of licenses and permission for the storage illegally by taking money has resulted in such a big tragedy. Strict action against the officials concerned would avoid such incidents in the future.
He told reporters here on Sunday that, the rules about the management of crackers were not being followed strictly and the officials concerned have been negligent in this regard. The Attibele incident had been a big tragedy and more such incidents would happen in case the government fails to open its eyes. As many as 14 persons have lost their lives in this gory incident. The government must distribute the solatium to the families of the deceased persons, and arrange for the treatment of the survivors. A similar incident had happened in Haveri also, he added.
Bommai said storage of such a large quantity of crackers was not permitted under law and this had been the second cracker explosion event in the last one and a half months. In Haveri, four persons were killed and in Attibele, 14 persons have lost their lives. This clearly shows that the rules were flouted. Taking serious note of both these incidents, the government must order a suitable inquiry and take action against the guilty officials to prevent such incidents in the coming days.
Joint tour
Asked about the delay in the tour of BJP leaders, the former CM said it would be discussed with the State BJP President, and then work out the tour plan jointly. All the leaders would jointly tour the State.
Give grant to all
Answering a question about the non-release of grants for nine wards of Rajarajeshwari zone, he said, “When our government was there, we did not make any discrimination.” We have given grants on seniority. Now there is no seniority. The BBMP has already stopped giving grants to the wards. Now they are discriminating against it. The government should give grants immediately without discrimination. Grants were given to other wards but not to Rajarajeshwari zone, which means it is politics”.
Tunnel Road
Commenting on the construction of tunnel roads in Bangalore, Bommai said, “We have no opposition to the construction of tunnel roads. But, the government is doing it in haste. The traffic system of the city has already deteriorated. Now, if seven or eight roads are dug up and the traffic is stopped completely, it will be difficult to find an alternative solution and work. It took years to do white tapping, then the problem became. It would be better to make preparations regarding the tunnel roads”.
Let peace prevail
Asked about the attack on Israel, he said the attack by the Hamas has breached peace in the Central and Middle Asian region. The attack on Israel by the Hamas was highly condemnable, and Israel had been giving befitting replies. The need of the hour was the establishment of peace in Central Asia. Lakhs of Indians were working in Israeli and the Middle East countries and the recent attack had created concern. The world must take serious note of the attack on Israel and take action against those responsible for the attack at the international level. War must stop and peace must prevail. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced India’s stand on the recent conflict, he added.