Belagavi: District minister Satish Jarkiholi said that the role of Belagavi district in the unification of Karnataka is significant and that many eminent personalities from here participated in the unification movement and rendered immense service to the Kannada language, land, and water. He maintained that the Congress govt is committed to undertaking development works in this regard.Speaking after hoisting the Kannada flag at the district stadium on Saturday, the minister said 69 years have passed since the dream of a united Karnataka, which was divided into various provinces including Madras and Mumbai, came true. The fact that we are all celebrating the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava with great enthusiasm and joy is a testament to the progress of Kannada Nadu, he said.Freedom fighters Shivabasava Swamiji of Rudrakshimath, Gangadhar Turamuri, Gangadhar Rao Deshpande, RS Hukkeri, Betageri Krishnasharma, Shambha Joshi, Basavaprabhu Kore, BN Datar, Annu Guruji, Dattopant Belavi, and Channappa Wali’s contribution to the unification is unforgettable, he said.No objection for Maratha institutionsSpeaking about the outrage expressed by Kannada organisations over the Karnataka Rajyotsava award given to Rajshree Nagaraj, the president of Maratha Mandal Group of Educational Institutions, the minister said that the Karnataka Rajyotsava award was announced to Rajshree because of her outstanding service in the field of education. “We do not know whether Rajshree is participating in anti-Kannada activities. I have also participated in a few programmes of Maratha Mandal Group of Educational Institutions. As I observed, the institution also organises Kannada programes, and further monitoring will be done in this regard,” he said.Cabinet reshuffle high command’s decisionMinister Satish Jarkiholi once again clarified that the cabinet reshuffle has been under discussion since the beginning but the high command will decide on the reshuffle. “Many people are qualified to become ministers but only a few people get the opportunity. The high command will decide who should be removed and who should be given the ministerial post. I have no authority to explain this,” he said.Division of the districtWe are in favour of the division of Belagavi district. The govt will take a decision on this soon, said minister Jarkiholi. The leaders of the district have told the govt that Belagavi district should be divided. I have put pressure on the govt. The govt will take a decision on this as soon as possible.Road repairMinister Jarkiholi said road repairs are not being done in Belagavi district due to non-stop rain. “We are also aware that many roads have been damaged. The rain should have stopped by now. Road repairs have already been undertaken in other districts. Action will be taken to repair roads in Belagavi too after the rains stop,” he stated.Eleven achievers from the media were felicitated with district-level Rajyotsava awards by the district administration on the occasion. MLA Asif Sait, deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan, district police superintendent Bhimashankar Guled, and city police commissioner Bhushan G Borase were present.
