Bangalore: Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi on January 26 said governments of the
state and Tamil Nadu should undertake as a matter of "great" urgency and with
sustained attention the task of bringing forest brigand Veerappan to book.
"The governments of the states concerned, with the co-operation of the Central
government, would spare no efforts to bring the brigand to book," Chaturvedi said in
his Republic Day address at the Parade Grounds.
"The year 2002 will down in the history of Karnataka as the year when the
unfortunate incident regarding Nagappa, a senior and veteran politician, took
place," Chaturvedi said, referring to the killing of Nagappa in Veerappan's
custody.
Obviously keeping the Cauvery issue in mind, he said a major challenge facing
Karnataka today was the sharing of river waters. President A P J Abdul Kalam, he
said, had pointed out the need for an amicable solution to the problem.
He said the Ganga-Cauvery project had been discussed at length by experts all over
the country and added that the viability, cost-factor, effectiveness and
displacement of human habitations were issues which naturally had to be analysed
before it could be taken up.
"The country is committed to finding a permanent solution in this regard for the
good of all states," he said.
On the issue of corruption, Chaturvedi said the Lok Ayukta had attempted to tackle
corruption, inefficiency and maladministration in the state. But fighting corruption
was the responsibility of not just the Lok Ayukta but also concerned agencies and
enlightened citizens, he said.
Cultural programmes depicting the mosaic of Indian culture and unity in diversity
presented by children stole the show at the celebrations.
PTI
