Unlike his predecessors of the BJP government, who had gone on an overdrive by providing a slew of projects, programmes and schemes for their respective districts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has remained rather restrained while showering goodies over his home district, in specific, and Mysore region at large.
In his maiden budget, the city of palaces has indeed assumed prominence, as Siddaramaiah is seen allocating crores for the development of Mysore city and district.
“Mysore is a city of historical importance and heritage. In view of this, Rs 100 crore will be provided for development of it’s infrastructure facilities,” read his budget speech. To give tourism in the city a fillip, Siddaramaiah has also proposed to launch Wi-Fi services on a pilot basis.
While ongoing works under JnNURM, Basic Services for Urban Poor, and 24/7 water supply will be continued or extended, the Chief Minister has also proposed to convert Mysore as a ‘Safe City’, and has provided a separate budget for infrastructure development over a period of five years.
One of the major announcements however is the construction of fly-overs between Bangalore-Mysore highway, to ease traffic congestion.
As the University of Mysore is nearing its centenary, Siddaramaiah has announced setting up of Social Development Study Centre in the name of its founder and erstwhile ruler of Mysore Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, at the varsity.
The Mysore Silk Factory on Manandavadi road in the city, which has completed 100 years of existence has got a bumper yet again with the announcement of Rs five crore for modernisation of old units in Mysore district. Three years ago, the factory had got Rs three crore for the construction of Centenary Hall on its premises, the works on which was recently completed.
“We had forwarded a proposal for Rs 21 crore with Rs eight crore for Mysore alone. Among them, proposals worth Rs five crore have been considered, which will help take up some plans and drop some,” said, Sadananda Swamy, General Manager, Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC), Mysore.
Paying respects to his mentor Prof M D Nanjunda Swamy, popularly known as MDN among farmers, the Chief Minister has announced a grant of Rs five crore to encourage organic farming activities at Prof Nanjunda Swamy Memorial Amrutha Bhoomi Trust established at Hondarbalu village in Chamarajanagar district.
Mysore Bar Association that prides itself in having a member in the incumbent Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah had practiced law, before plunging into politics), has also been benefitted with Rs two crore for the construction of its new building.
“We had sought Rs seven crore out of which Rs two crore has been announced. We are confident that the government will release the remaining funds in future,” said, C Basavaraju, President, Mysore Bar Association.
The philanthropic works of unblemished politician of the State, M Rajashekara Murthy who had established All India Model Education Centre at Mariyala in Chamarajanagar district, has been enriched further with a grant of Rs two crore for completion of the building. It is also the place where Rajashekara Murthy was laid to rest after his death three years ago.
It had been proposed to upgrade Mysore Police Public School on the lines of Sainik Schools or other model public schools, for providing quality education to wards of police employees.
“Repeated attempts had been made seeking funds from the government to upgrade Mysore Police Public School on the lines of Sainik School or any other model schools. The school currently has a strength of 800 students offering education from LKG to class X,” said, IGP (Southern range) K Ramachandra Rao, president of Karnataka State Police Education and Welfare Trust, welcoming the announcement.
The government has also announced upgradation of the Mysore City Armed Reserve Force, which presently has inadequate strength of 756 personnel.
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