Karnataka CM to expand cabinet after meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi

MYSURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintained that he would call on the Congress High Command to discuss cabinet expansion soon. He said there are three berths to be filled in the cabinet and it would be done after holding talks with All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said he has not held talks on cabinet expansion so far and clarified that the delay in cabinet expansion is not because of Ashada, (believed to be an inauspicious time).

Asked about the corruption charges against prison officials, he made it clear that government will not tolerate indiscipline in the police force. Expressing displeasure over the officials talking to the media, he said the government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged irregularities and assured that they would act tough if the charges are proved.

Siddu to write to Centre against GM mustard

Siddaramaiah has promised a delegation of GM-free Karnataka Forum that he will write to the Centre against the approval of genetically modified mustard for commercial cultivation.The group met him on Saturday and briefed him about the potential adverse impacts of GM mustard.

“Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Delhi governments have already written to the Centre, while a large mustard growing states, including BJP-ruled ones like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, have spelt out their stand against commercialisation of GM mustard. Kerala went a step further and passed a unanimous resolution in the Assembly against GM mustard. The Karnataka government should also take a decision over GM mustard,” said the delegates of the forum.  

Senior socialist leader Pa Mallesh, who led the delegation, explained that at a time when farm livelihoods were already struggling with an acute crisis, it is completely wrong on the part of the Centre to try and bring in a risky and irreversible technology.