With the inauguration of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum on Thursday, the long cherished dream of people of North Karnataka region to have an accessible state administration centre has been realised.
As President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the imposing structure that will house State’s second secretariat, the crowd expressed their joy without inhibition. Loud cheers rent the air throughout the inaugural ceremony on the premises of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS).
The Soudha, resembling Vidhana Soudha of Bangalore, was decked in flowers. Entire Belgaum city was in a celebration mood. Unmindful of the traffic restriction to faciliate VIP movement, people had turned up in thousands to witness the momentous occasion.
The President and all other VIPs had one common thing to say – the people from the northern districts have now better access to administration, development which will help overcome regional disparity.
In his inaugural address, the President said the Suvarna Soudha is a milestone of aspirations of people, good governance and functional democracy. It should pave way for faster growth of the region. Implementation of the Dr D M Nanjundappa committee recommendations for comprehensive development and resolve problem of regional imbalance would help achieve all round progress, he said.
He hailed the people of north Karnataka for their contribution in different fields.
Jagadish Shettar, who hails from Hubli-Dharwad, the neighbouring district of Belgaum, said that in future legislature sessions, meetings of legislature committees, the Cabinet will be conducted at the Soudha, besides international events.
Addressing the members of the legislature and MPs in the Assembly hall, the President expressed his concern over frequent disruption of proceedings in Parliament and legislatures. He said elected Parliaments and legislatures were the most “critical ingredients” of any true democracy, and the legislators, should act as the “voice of the people and redress their grievances through the legislative forum”.