From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 15: Unfurling the national flag after inspecting a guard of honour from the men of armed forces, NCC cadets and also school children at the Field Marshal Manikshaw Parade Grounds on Bengaluru’s iconic Mahatma Gandhi Road to mark the country’s 73rd Independence Day celebrations, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday promised to come out with new Industrial Policy and Textile Policy this year besides announcing the constitution of a high-powered Tourism task force headed by Infosys Foundation’s Chairperson Sudha Murthy.
Karnataka’s Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar and senior government officials as MPs and legislators were among the dignitaries, who attended the parade. Incidentally, this is perhaps the first time that Independence Day celebrations are held in the districts and taluks in the State with Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners hoisting the national tricolour even though the State is having a popular government headed only by the Chief Minister since July 26 without a full-fledged cabinet to assist him. Surprisingly, as many as 17 assembly constituencies in the State do not have elected representatives following the disqualification of the MLAs belonging to Congress and JD(S).
With the Independence Day celebrations coming in the backdrop of the State’s worst-ever flood havoc causing 22 out of the 30 districts being marooned in flood waters for over two weeks and another 5 districts facing drought-like situation due to absence of rains, Yediyurappa expectedly devoted much of his time on the flood situation and explained the measures taken by him to ensure rescue, relief and temporary rehabilitation besides meeting the essential needs of food, clothing and shelter besides providing compensation to the families of the deceased and other victims, who lost their homes, belongings and standing crops.
“The State is witnessing nature’s fury that was not seen in the past 45 years. More than half of the state is flooded. As many as 103 talukas in 22 districts of Karnataka are submerged. Amidst this, at least 5 districts haven’t received enough rain, creating a drought-like situation. The flood situation that has beset Karnataka is because of discharge of water from reservoirs in neighbouring states along with sudden spell of monsoon rain in the state,’’ he said.
It is a matter of abundant significance that the rain-distribution pattern is uneven, and some areas are reeling under rain deficiency. So far, 61 people have lost their lives in floods. Compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the dead is being disbursed within 48 hours, he said explaining that almost 6.97 lakh people have been evacuated to safer places. The state has seen deaths of 859 animals, and more than 51,460 animals have been rescued.
“We have opened a total of 1224 relief centres where food, clothing, medicines and other essential materials have been provided. 3,96,617 people have been given shelter in these relief centres,’’ he said adding: ``The challenges brought forth by sudden and convulsing flood waters are many. The worst affected are members of the farming community. About 4.69 lakh hectares of land have been lost to floods or landslide incidents. More than 58,620 houses are damaged. Thousands of people have lost their homes, are in the grip of a crisis.’’
The chief minister narrated the steps taken by him following the floods. “I have been conducting both on-the-spot and aerial surveys of the affected areas and ordered relief without losing time. I have taken quick steps to provide relief to the affected people after extensively touring Belagavi, Bagalakote, Vijayapura, Raichur, Yadgir, Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Mysuru and Gadag districts.
Our officers and employees, Legislators, MPs, NGOs and other welfare organisations have come to the rescue of the affected people. Opposition leaders, too, have voiced their concern, besides co- operating with the Government on its relief operations.I have announced immediate relief of Rs 10,000 to those who have lost their homes, Rs 5 lakh in compensation and Rs 1 lakh to repair and rebuild damaged houses.’’
“Life has been very difficult for slum dwellers in flood affected urban areas. Therefore, the Government will take steps to build houses and provide basic amenities such as roads, UGDs, drinking water, toilets and other facilities,’’ he said mentioning that he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues seeking necessary assistance at the earliest.
“The natural disaster has left a trail of death and destruction, destroying properties and assets worth thousands of crores of rupees. The Government will take all measures possible to repair the houses destroyed in the flood if they could be repaired or help its owners build them afresh if they cannot be repaired. Once we get the final estimate of the losses suffered in the floods and rain, we will seek more assistance from the Union Government.I have asked legislators and parliamentarians to expedite relief operations after reviewing the situation prevailing on the ground. They have carried out the task likewise. Teams headed by Additional chief secretary-level officers have taken charge of the flood-affected districts assigned to them. I can declare with a clear conscience that my Government has left no stone unturned in rushing to the rescue of the people stuck or affected or stranded in the impact of sudden floods in the state,’’ he explained.
The chief minister gave a detailed account of the benefits and loan waives announced by him to assist fishermen and weavers to the tune of Rs 158.87 crore benefiting over 53,000 persons. He also reiterated the government’s commitment and priorities to look after the interests of farmers, including the decision to sanction special assistance of Rs 4,000 to farmers in addition to the Rs 6,000 being provided under Modi government’s PM Kisan Samman Yojana.
With the State’s 2014-19 industrial policy set to end in September this year, the chief minister said the government will soon come out with a new industrial policy for the next five years for the comprehensive growth of the industry sector and give booster shot to areas classified as backward and Tier II and III cities so that they attract industrial investment and, consequently, generate more jobs locally. In addition, the Government will extend the “Product Based Industrial Cluster Development Programme, presently under implementation in nine districts, to the entire State to ensure the overall growth of the state based on the availability of resources and skilled manpower.
Pointing out that he had taken the pioneering step of unveiling the State’s textile policy in 2008, he said the Government will soon launch a new policy for textile and readymade garments industries for the years 2019 to 2024.
As part of the plans to give thrust to the tourism sector that generates jobs both directly and indirectly, he said a task force on tourism will be constituted under the chairmanship of Sudha Murthy, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, with the aim of developing tourist places which represent the thousands of years of old culture and heritage of our state. "My Government will work towards a sustainable and constructive tourism development programme,’’ he said.
Praises Modi on Kashmir decisions
Yediyurappa said the government will accord top-most priority to provide potable drinking water, solid waste management and other basic infrastructure in rural Karnataka too as it has becomeimperative than ever to ensure urban areas are provided all basic infrastructures because of the increasing number of immigrants to cities in search of employment and education opportunities. “In this respect, Bengaluru and all other cities in Karnataka will get a streamlined approach to development and maintaining basic urban infrastructure that’s the need of the hour,’’ he asserted.
The chief minister took the opportunity of complimenting Modi government on its bold initiative to ease the Kashmir situation ahead of Independence Day. "The state of Kashmir is India’s crown. It boggles one’s imagination on what has been happening in the past seven decades in Kashmir, the home of the Kashyapas. What was a cradle of Indian culture had been given a uni-dimensional cultural narrative, and the native settlers had been driven out.Anti-national and terrorist forces had held hostage the region’s three districts. Peace was out of reach. The soldiers who were in the line of duty to ensure citizen safety were rained with stones day in and day out. Kashmir’s economy had touched a new low. Thanks to machinations of a neighbouring country, the flag of the neighbouring country, instead of the Tricolour used to flutter in stray places.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a historic decision to end this terror reign in the Valley. Dr BR Ambedkar, who sculpted the Constitution of India, had expressed opposition to include Article 370 in the Constitution. He was of the opinion that it could threaten the very unity of the nation. Now, Articles 370 and 35A have been voided. The state has now been bifurcated into two Union territories —one is Jammu and Kashmir, and the other is Ladakh. The President of India has approved thelegislation. With this, the state will now develop in all respects and join the mainstream,’’ he said pointing out there was “No more space for our neighbour to stoke trouble in the Valley. It’s the end of terror dance. Peace and order will soon strike root. Citizens will live without worries. The state’s development — more a chimera than a reality — will soon be visible, tangible. The Pandits who had to quit the state no longer feel they are refugees in their own land. They can return to their land with confidence and pride, and rebuild their lives.’’
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold decision has been welcomed by both the country and the world. Modiji has etched a name for himself in years to come. With this, the dream of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and lakhs of Indians is now a reality. With this, the goal of Akhand Bharat has been achieved. It’s our duty to do our bit for the nation’s all-round development. Whatever tiny steps we take will be journey towards lofty goals,’’ he said.
Yediyurappa also utilized the platform to extol the teachings of social reformer Basavanna that "work is worship" (Kayakave Kailasa) and quoted Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life’’ and said “we are enjoying the fruits of their sacrifice of the freedom fighters. It is our responsibility to save and further this freedom that was achieved with the sacrifice of our freedom fighters. Let us take a pledge in this regard on this occasion of Independence Day.’’