From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 5: Chief minister B S Yediyurappa has directed officials to ensure that Rs 209 crore was immediately released as Karnataka’s share for the Amrut Scheme to avail the Central grants towards the same.

Reviewing the performance of the State Urban Development Department through video conferencing from his home office, Krishna, in Bengaluru on Friday, he also asked the officials to submit proposals for filling up the vacancies in the department arising out of the death, retirement or any other reasons of the civic workers (poura karmikas) on direct payment basis in the civic bodies.

In view of the COVID-19 situation, despite the relaxation of the lockdown, Yediyurappa said it was essential that all the urban local bodies in the state took extra care and remained vigilant to maintain cleanliness and sanitation.

Even though monsoon is likely to set in shortly, the chief minister said some urban areas were facing drinking water problems. The deputy commissioners of districts were already having a fund of Rs 47.24 crore for solving drinking water problems in urban areas. He wanted the urban local bodies to be vigilant to prevent a shortage of drinking water in the 23 urban local bodies, which would likely face the problem.

"Under no circumstances, people should not suffer due to shortage of drinking water,’’ Yediyurappa said.

Appreciating the steps and precautions taken by the urban local bodies against the spread of COVID-19 infection, he asked the officials to ensure that the Central funds available under different schemes were not obstructed and fully utilized.

Urban Development minister B A Basavaraja, Municipal Administration minister Narayana Gowda, chief secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, additional chief secretary of Urban Development Department Rakesh Singh and other senior officials were present.