Cong manifesto promises clean drinking water in all villages

Internet connections in GPs, computerisation of records also assured

Ahead of the elections to the zilla and taluk panchayats, the ruling Congress has made some lofty promises to rural Karnataka, which include allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for clean drinking water to all villages, Internet broadband connections to all gram panchayats, and computerisation of records.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who released the 21-page manifesto with 92 promises, in Bengaluru on Tuesday, said the objective of the government, especially by introducing amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act, was to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department had already implemented a 21-point programme for the overall development of villages. Now, the focus would be on improving administration and bringing in electoral reforms.

He said 62 tmc ft of water was required to supply potable water to all 29,000 villages in the State, and this would cost Rs 45,000 crore. “This cannot be achieved in a year or two. But we have decided to allocate Rs 10,000 crore annually for providing drinking water for the next three years. Already, 1,600 potable drinking water units have been installed. We also need to build 51 lakh toilets, of which 21 lakh toilets have been constructed.”

As per the manifesto, a commissionerate would be established for pure drinking water.
Siddaramaiah said his government had resolved to bring in accountability, introduce the ombudsman system and electoral reforms in a phased manner.

RD&PR Minister H K Patil said a ‘truth and reconciliation commission’ would be set up to empower the farming community. It was also imperative to check the continued farmer suicides. Making all villages ‘open defecation-free’ and ‘smart’ would also be part of primary focus.

Party’s commitments

Solar lights in government high schools
Extending time for legalising power connections to illegal IP sets
Women co-operative banks in all taluks
Grama Souharda committees for communal harmony
Publication of human development index of all GPs
Directorate of Comprehensive Village Plan Development
Grievances Redressal Authority at the district level
Provision of bus service to school/college students under Vidya Sarige scheme
Setting up ‘RD&PR University’
Setting up of information kiosks