From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 15: In his first address after assuming office on the Platinum Jubilee of the country’s Independence Day, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday announced a package of 11 special programmes to commemorate the occasion with a budget outlay of over Rs 700 crore.
The Chief Minister, who unfurled the national tricolour in a scaled down function at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds on Mahatma Gandhi Road in the city in view of the Covid pandemic restrictions, pointed out that the State Government had already launched the Amrith Mahotsav Programmes in the State at Channamana Kittur in Belagavi district, Vidurashwath in Chikkaballapur district and Shivapur in Mandya districts simultaneously on March 12, 2021 to celebrate the occasion by holding programmes throughout the State round the year following the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Special Amrith Mahotsav Programmes:
Amrith Gram Panchayats: Overall Development of 750 select Gram Panchayats with projects including street lights, drinking water to each household, 100 per cent segregation and disposal of solid waste, scientific disposal of waste water, installing solar power, schools with digital libraries etc.
Amrith Rural Housing Scheme: To identify and provide housing for all homeless in select 750 Gram Panchayaths.
Amrith Farmer Producer Orgranisations: 750 Farmer Producer Organisations to be set up in the State to promote production and marketing of agriculture, fisheries and weavers products. Each Organisation would be given Rs 30 lakh each for three years, amounting to Rs 225 crore
Amirth Nirmala Nagara: Nirmala Nagara programme to be implemented in 75 Urban Local Bodies to keep them clean and beautiful. Rs 1 crore each would be provided amounting to Rs 75 crore.
Amrith School Infrastructure Programme: Rs 75 crore will be spent for providing basic infrastructure facilities such as building, lab, library, toilets etc. in 750 schools with Rs 10 lakh each.
Amrith Anganwadi Centers: Rs 7.5 crore to be spent to upgrade the infrastructure in 750 Anganwadis with Rs 1 lakh each.
Amirth Self Help Micro enterprises: Rs 75 crore seed money would be given to 7500 Self Help Groups in the State to set up Micro Enterprises with Rs 1 lakh each.
Amrith Community Development Programme: 750 school/college students to be identified, inspired and motivated to involve themselves in Productive Community Services.
Amrith Health Infrastructure Upgradation Programme: 750 Primary Health Centres to be identified and upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh each, amounting to Rs 150 crore.
Amrith Skill Training Programme: Rs 112 crore to be spent for 2-year skill development training for 75,000 youth belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Minority communities in the State.
Amrith Sports Adoption Programme: The Sports Adoption Programme to be implemented to train and encourage 75 talented sportspersons from the State who have the potential to win medals for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The Chief Minister, in his address, recalled the remarkable progress made by the country during last 75 years, especially the last 7 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in reaching a new milestone and earning global acclaim. Karnataka too has set several benchmarks in the path of progress in every sector, be it Language, Culture, Art, Education, Economy, Commerce and Industries, employment generation, improving the lives of people is exemplary.
The sacrifices and contribution of stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabha Bhai Patel, Bhagath Singh, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, Jawahar Lal Nehru and others is historical. The valour and bravery shown by Rani Chennamma of Kittur, Sangolli Rayanna and others against the oppression of British is electrifying, the Chief Minister said urging all citizens to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Independence by resolving to protect the hard earned, precious freedom of the country.
Bommai lauded the impressive performance of the previous B S Yediyiurappa regime, which came to power with the vision of ‘Development is the mantra of Governance,’ by implementing development works alongside efficiently and effectively facing the flood situation and the COVID 19 pandemic.
Covid Appropriate Behaviour Must
"I have resolved to continue in the path of development taken by my predecessor. Government is a continuous process. The Government machinery should not stop when the players change in the system. Similarly, the wheel of progress should also move forward. Credible, Efficient, Honest, Transparent and People friendly governance is the priority of our Government," he said promising time bound implementation of programmes and projects and quick response to people’s problems.
Bommai said the Yediyurappa government took steps to balance lives and livelihood of people and tried to instill confidence in public hit by the Covid pandemic through a relief package to various sectors in distress and upgradation of healthcare system with over Rs 7422 crore. During last one year, the Government has taken measures to ramp up healthcare system by providing more than 24,000 oxygenated beds and over 4,000 ventilators to Government hospitals and medical college hospitals.
"Today we are better equipped to confront the COVID 19 situation in the State," he said pointing out that vaccination programme is also being implemented effectively to protect people and so far more than 3.5 crore doses have been administered.
Urging the people to continue to strictly follow the Covid appropriate behavior, he said: "Any effort made by the Government can succeed with your cooperation. Therefore I appeal to the citizens of the State to adopt COVID appropriate behaviour such as wearing mask, maintaining physical distance and personal hygiene and make it part of their life."
Firm on implementing Mekedatu
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s determination to go ahead with the Mekedatu project said the government has resolved to make the efficient use of river water allocated to the State by faster implementation of irrigation projects.
"Approval of Union Government is expected soon for the DPR of Mekedatu project and this will help in utilising the additional water allocated by orders of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. We will implement the Mekedatu Project despite opposition from the neighbouring States. Our Government will not back off from this project which is necessary for Drinking water and power generation," he declared.
Flood Relief, Compensation
The Chief Minister said along with efficient COVID management, the government successfully managed the flood situation in the State during last three monsoons. "We stood by the people by taking up immediate rescue and relief operations with timely help from the Union Government. I have visited flood affected Uttara Kannada district on the very next day of assuming office as Chief Minister and directed DCs of all flood affected districts for speedy disburse of relief measures to the victims," he said.
He said he has directed the district administrations to give contingency relief of Rs. 10,000 each to flood victims, compensation of Rs. 50,000/- for slightly damaged houses, Rs 3 lakh for partially damaged houses and Rs. 5 lakh for totally damaged houses. This is more than the NDRF guidelines. It is my priority to reach out the benefits of Government programmes to the people through efficient, pro-people governance amidst all these challenges.
The Chief Minister explained the series of decisions announced by him soon after assuming office and said the government is committed to care and concern for the welfare of the farmers. Rs. 1000 crore has been allocated for this “Raitha Vidyanidhi” scheme benefitting over 17 lakh students.
The Chief Minister said upgrading and efficiently maintain the urban infrastructure in accordance with the increasing population and measures are being taken for efficient and scientific solid waste management. The waste to energy plant being constructed in Bidadi near Bengaluru is one such initiative to address this challenge. Good climate, good education and growing industries have brought global recognition to the city. Priority is given to provide world class amenities in the city and make the people’s lives better to live up to the expectations.
"Namma Metro, Suburban Rail Projects have increased the pace and infrastructure development works such as road, storm water drain etc. are taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 8343.87 crore under Chief Minister’s Navanagarothana Project. In third phase, it is decided to take up, “Amrith Mahotsava Nagarothana” in the days to come," he said.
Karnataka has been in the forefront in investments since 2016 and stands first in the country. The New Industrial Policy 2020-25 is launched and during this period, it is aimed to attract investments of Rs 5 lakh crore and 20 lakh job creation. The policy encourages setting up of industries in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It is indeed an optimistic development to see investors showing interest to invest in the State despite COVID pandemic. Karnataka has taken several initiatives to make significant contribution to fulfil the dream of PM Modi’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat," he said.
"Our Government is committed to advance further in this journey of success. Prosperity of entire Karnataka is our priority. Growth of only Bengaluru, the capital city, is not enough. Tier two cities too have to grow. The pace of growth seen in Bengaluru should resonate in District centers too. Regional imbalance should diminish and the picture of development of 35 all districts and taluk headquarters must be visible. The Government would focus on not only mega projects, but also mini-projects," he added.
CM Garlands Sangolli Rayanna Statue
Later, the Chief Minister garlanded the statue of Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna in the city.
Kaginele Math pontiff Sri Niranjananda Swami, Ministeters R Ashok. MTB Nagaraj, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, MLC H M Revanna and others were present.