Deshpande asks FD to okay water supply improvement plan

Revenue & District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande stated that he has instructed the Finance Department officials to approve the proposal to lift additional 40 MLD of water from Malaprabha reservoir to supply drinking water to Hubballi-Dharwad, at a cost of Rs 24 crore.

On his way to his hometown Haliyal in Uttara Kannada district, he told media persons at the Hubballi Airport on Friday that he is not much aware of the issue of pending pension grants of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), and he would study the issue.

"I will soon hold a review of the progress of various works in the district, and will honestly try to solve the problems. Dharwad is a good district with progressive people, and co-operation from all is required to achieve further development. I am coming to Dharwad district since my birth, but this is the maiden visit as the in-charge minister of this district," Deshpande said.

If some officials commit mistakes causing a delay in project implementation, action would be taken. Indira Canteen would also be started soon, as Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has already given this instruction to all the deputy commissioners, he noted.

On NK development

"Progress has no party, and BJP's co-operation is also required for the further development of North Karnataka region," Deshpande noted.

The BJP leaders do not know what they say, and therefore, they blame the Congress in North Karnataka issue. But, we do not reply to all their statements. The Congress showed interest to give special status through Article 371(J) to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, and why the BJP did not do that, he asked.

We have a united and progressive State, after struggle and sacrifice. The government would take steps for the further development of this region, with the co-operation of all. Funds allocated should be utilised properly, and demand for separate state is wrong, he added.

MLA Prasad Abbayya, Congress leaders Altaf Halwoor, Sadanand Danganavar, Mahendra Singhi, and others welcomed the minister.