Bengaluru: It’s not quite uncommon in our country for ministers, bureaucrats to be caught unawares when quizzed on certain important issues pertinent to the society or end up making controversial statements.
However, it does not reflect well when you happen to be a Minister of a certain department and are totally unaware of any or most issues concerning the same. The same happens to be the case of Minister Ramanath Rai, who virtually had the same reply – ‘I don’t know’ or ‘not aware’-to almost all questions posed to him by reporters (see box) concerning the burning issues in his department.
Rai, has also been photographed catching up a few naps on stage and during important meetings quite a few times.
‘Don’t know, not aware’
Q: How much area has been lost in fires this year?
A: 100 ha, of which 40 ha is in Bandipur Tiger Reserve and 30 ha in Kappatagudda conservation reserve. I do not know the extent in BRT and Anshi-Dandeli tiger reserves, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu, but they are small.
How many fire lines have been created?
The same as last year, I do not know the numbers.
Where were you when first forest fire broke out in Bandipur and what did you do?
I was not aware of the fire then (he visited Bandipur on February 21, 2017).
What is the staff strength and vacancies?
I don’t know, but 3,060 have been trained.
How much money has been spent on creating fire lines this year?
I do not know.
Why have the incidents of fire in Bandipur and Kappatagudda been given to CID, what happened to the CID probing Nagarahole forest fire?
There is something wrong. The fire was man-made.
Why was B J Hosmath transferred, with just two months remaining for retirement?
It was the decision of the chief minister and I have nothing to say.
How many animals have died in the forest fire?
None. If any, people should give me photographic proof.
