The State government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for a permanent irrigation project to Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has said.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Gowda said the government was committed to tackle water scarcity in the two districts through a permanent irrigation project.
“I don’t want to speak about the project time and again. I will make all efforts to address the issue,” he said. Gowda was on his maiden visit to the town after taking over chief minister.
Later, speaking at the Karnataka Development Programme review meeting, Gowda said the officials should ensure efficient use of the funds released to various departments. He warned of stringent action against any non-utilisation or misutilisation of funds.
Utilisation of funds
The chief minister said each department should report at least 95 per cent utilisation of funds and any laxity in achieving the target would invite disciplinary action.
Gowda said good governance could be ensued if the bureaucracy and the elected representatives join hands. “Politicians should have political commitment and officials should have commitment to discharge their legitimate duties. This combination will ensure smooth implementation of government projects.”
The chief minister said only two months had left for the completion of the fiscal year and he would consider that a district has progressed only if 70 per cent of the development projects had been completed. He exhorted the officials to give full attention to achieve the target.
Five depts in dock
Gowda, who had been reviewing the projects at district-level, said it had come to his notice that except five departments, all other departments were functioning well in Chikkaballapur district. He said the government was committed to meet the infrastructure needs of the newly formed district.
Legislator K P Bachegowda said the number of students seeking pre-university education in the district had gone up and separate PU colleges should be set up for girls.
He also said that bills of the contractor who completed the work on construction of deputy commissioner’s building, should be settled.
Fluoride content
Another legislator Y Sampangi said fluoride content in the potable water had increased to dangerous level in the district. He said B S Yeddyurappa, during his tenure as chief minister had promised Rs 50 crore to the district. Neither the amount had been released nor the promises he made had been acted upon, he said.
Zilla Panchayat president M V Krishnappa said there was a marked difference between the status of Ramanagar and Chikkaballapur districts. He alleged Ramanagar district had been developed very fast while Chikkaballapur had been meted out a raw deal. He appealed for special development grants to the backward district.
Zilla Panchayat vice president B Savithramma said Bagepalli taluk had been facing acute shortage of teachers. She said students were deprived of education. She said agriculture activity too had been badly affected due to scanty rain.
District in-charge secretary N C Muniyappa, Deputy Commissioner Dr N Manjula, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer B S Shekharappa and others were present in the meeting.
