State underutilised SDP grants

Statistics presented to Chief Minister Yeddyurappa at a review meeting in Bangalore, on Wednesday, revealed that various departments had utilised only Rs 945 crore of the Rs 1,571 crore earmarked for the year 2007-08. During 2008-09, only Rs 1,352 crore was actually utilised while Rs 2,457 crore was the outlay earmarked .

Speaking to the media, Yeddyurappa said the government will strive for better utilisation of the SPD grants allotted for the year 2009-10 (Rs 2,572 crore).

The government will accord top priority to education and drinking water and bring the 114 backward taluks on par with the rest of the State by 2013. Annual action plan for the current financial year will be ready by June, the chief minister said.

The SDP is implemented in 114 backward taluks of the State of which 39 are identified as the most backward, 40 as more backward and 35 as backward.

He said that Kittur Rani Chennamma residential school for girls have been opened in the 114 taluks.

Opening of schools for girls on Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya model and improvement of infrastructure facilities for high schools have also been taken up.Work on rejuvenation of dried up open wells to recharge the water table is also on.

Yeddyurappa said SDP will be reviewed as a subject in State, district and taluk- level Karnataka Development Programme meetings.