Speaking to press persons at Inspection Bungalow here on Saturday, Union Minister of State for Railways, K H Muniyappa said that the Union government has formulated the programme for reforms in power supply and a sum of Rs 400 crore has been released to Karnataka under the said programme.

“The amount has been released four months ago itself. However, the State government is not making serious efforts to utilise the grant as a result of which people have to face load shedding,” the minister stated. The funds can be utilised to take up necessary works for voltage stabilisation and load management.

Work in installation of six feeders in Kolar, four in Chintamani, three in Bangarpet, two each in Mulbagal and Gauribidanur, and one in Kolar Gold Fields has been taken up at a cost of Rs 91.20 lakh. The works must be completed by August 15, he disclosed.

Muniyappa said that Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts have received scanty rains this year as a result of which sowing has not taken place. Further, the period for sowing has also expired and hence the clouds of drought are hovering over the two districts.

Discussion with CM

In view of this situation, discussion will be held with the Chief Minister seeking Rs 10 crore for each taluk to take up drought relief works.

The chief minister  will also be urged to take up survey work based on the Paramashivaiah report for ensuring a permanent irrigation project to the district, and release necessary funds for the purpose, the minister stated.

The minister called upon to give priority for creating rural infrastructure under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The beneficiaries of the scheme should be given work and paid wages as determined, he said.

Former legislator K Srinivasa Gowda has been expelled from the Congress for six years owing to his anti-party activities during Zilla Panchayat elections.

 “What locus standi he has got to complain against me?” Muniyappa chided, revealing that all the leaders in his faction, will soon join the mainstream.

In-charge deputy commissioner N Shivaraj, who spoke on the occasion, informed that a Rs 8 crore proposal has been submitted to the government for supply of drinking water to the district.