Public shouldn’t be forced to observe Ballari bandh, says Anand Singh

BALLARI: District in-charge minister Anand Singh has warned of strict action against those who force public to observe Ballari bandh forcefully against the government’s decision to bifurcate the district.
This comes in the wake of several organisations giving a call for bandh on November 26 opposing the government’s decision to form Vijayanagar district by dividing Ballari.
Speaking to reporters in Hospet on Thursday, Anand Singh said: “In Democracy everyone has the right to protest and to observe bandh, but I am against forceful bandh.”
“Vijayanagar district is being created for smooth administration. Government has decided to divide big districts for the smooth functioning of administration. The demand for Vijayanagar district is not new. The government has responded to the demand of the people of western taluks of Ballari district,” said Anand Singh.
When asked about Ballari city MLA G Somashekhar Reddy’s opposition to the new district, Singh said the MLA is very calm on the issue, but the media is provoking him to oppose the new district.
“Chief secretary of the government, principal secretary of the revenue department and other department higher officials would discuss on taluks to be included in the new Vijayanagar district and Ballari district. New district map is not yet ready yet,” he said urging people support the move.
“The chief minister has, in fact, fulfilled a long pending demand of the people of this region,” he added.