Ramanagara, 11 May 

Deputy Chief Minister and Congress President DK Shivakumar on Sunday announced that the State government plans to distribute 1 lakh title deeds to eligible beneficiaries on 20 May, marking the second anniversary of the Congress government’s rule.

The beneficiaries are residents of "undocumented habitations" that have now been formally declared as revenue villages. The event is proposed to be held in Vijayanagara district and will be carried out under the Revenue Department, led by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.

However, he added that the event had earlier been indefinitely postponed due to tensions along the India-Pakistan border. The final decision will be taken after reviewing the situation in the coming days.

Responding to questions about the reported ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, Shivakumar said, "The Central government must provide clarity on it. I don't want to comment or create confusion. We must uphold the nation's dignity."

Shivakumar also revealed plans to mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi presiding over the 1924 AICC session in Belagavi by laying the foundation for 100 Congress party offices across Karnataka. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to participate in the programme and offer pooja at the Bengaluru office, while virtually inaugurating offices in other districts.

"In some places, land has been approved; in others, we are purchasing land. In Ramanagara, I will personally buy and donate land for the Congress office since the earlier site faced legal hurdles," Shivakumar added.

Donations for construction have already begun, he noted, and Rahul Gandhi is expected to confirm the date for the foundation ceremony soon.