Summary:
BELAGAVI: Strict vigilance helped the administration reduce expenditure on expenses by Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore for the 10-day winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi , assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar revealed. “The only qualms are that a proposed discussion on North Karnataka, sand mining and irrigation projects could not be conducted.” This year, extra precautions were taken following reports of inflated bills being submitted during the session in 2017.Briefing reporters here, Kumar and deputy speaker M Krishna Reddy said the total expense for holding the session in 2017 was Rs 22 crore, but an inquiry report on spending is awaited. Therefore, Ujwal Kumar Ghosh was put in charge,” Kumar said.As for attendance by ministers and members in the two Houses, Kumar said it had improved.“I spoke to ministers and members in my own way to ensure attendance,” he said. Kumar said no compromise was made on the quality of arrangements, including food, and yet the amount saved was significant.“As an interim arrangement until the inquiry is completed, I felt it was necessary, prima facie, to appoint a senior bureaucrat to oversee expenses..