Puttaraju says providing water is his first priority

'JD(S) will be strengthened in time for the next elections'

Newly-elected MP C S Puttaraju has drawn a list of his priorities. Provision of drinking water to all, making sugar factories to pay arrears to sugarcane growers and making Kendriya Vidyalaya functional from the current academic year itself top the list.

Addressing a press conference, here, on Saturday, he said, permanent drinking water projects have been sanctioned for Mandya and Malavalli taluks, efforts will be made to get similar projects for the rest of the constituency.

Regarding pending bills to sugarcane growers, he said, he would speak to the Deputy Commissioner and see what can be done. “I have learnt that a Kendriya Vidyalaya has been sanctioned for the city. I will see to it that it starts this year itself,” he said.

“I will tour all Assembly constituencies, under Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, along with their respective MLAs to understand the problems. I will also discuss the problems with District in-charge Minister Ambarish and take steps to solve them,” he added.

The MPs office will be soon shifted to the DC’s office. Grievances will be heard at the MLAs’ office, when I visit the taluk headquarters, he added.

Former MP Ramya had shifted the MP’s office to the building of the Kaveri Neeravari Nigam as her father had died on the premises of the DC’s office, just a few moments after her filing of nomination papers for the by-election, last year.

Reacting to the comments made by some Congress leaders, during the election campaign, that the JD(S) will be finished, he said, the party will exist till the people support it.

“The party will be strengthened under the guidance of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and leadership of former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. By the next Assembly election, the JD(S) will be able to form the government in the State,” he said.