With the election model code of conduct in place, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refrained from making any new announcements on Independence Day and reiterated the government’s commitment to schemes already announced.
He said the government would generate 4,000 MW of power in the State in the next three years, after unfurling the tricolour at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds here.
Public and private
Of the 4,000 MW, he said 2,300 MW would be generated in the public sector and 1,700 MW in the private sector. The willingness of the Union government to provide 382 million tonnes of coal to thermal power plants in Yeramarus, Yedlapura, Gonda and Bellary has raised hopes in the power sector.
Next scheme
Reading from an18-page printed Kannada text, the Chief Minister said the government would soon implement the Rajiv Gandhi Chaitanya scheme to ensure employment to over two lakh rural youth. The scheme will cover 40 to 50 youths in each gram panchayat.
Industrial policy
Noting that a new industrial policy would be announced next year, he said the third Global Investors’ Meet would be organised next year. English would be taught as a subject from the first standard from the next academic year. The Police Department has been directed to take measures to prevent anti-democratic activities such as attack on churches, communal clashes, moral policing and attempt to weaken the secular fabric in school textbooks, the Chief Minister said. “It is not possible for me to dwell upon my government’s future programmes in detail on this occasion, since the election model code of conduct is in force in 11 districts,” he said.
The government had initiated measures to implement 60 of the 160 assurances made in the election manifesto, he said.
Long speech
Kolar Staff Correspondent reports: Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader hoisted the flag at Sir M. Visvesvaraya District Stadium here to mark Independence Day celebrations. He read out a lengthy speech that went on for so long that the children, who were part of the march past and cultural programme, sat down to take rest.
Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa, in-charge Deputy Commissioner V. Venkateshmurthy, Zilla Panchayat CEO S.M. Zulfikar Ullah, Superintendent of Police Ram Nivas Sepat, ZP president Chowdeshwari and MLC D.S. Veeraiah participated.
On malnutrition
Tumkur Staff Correspondent reports: After hoisting the national flag at Mahatma Gandhi stadium here on Thursday, district-in-charge Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the Union and State governments have to address hunger and unemployment which are the two evils of society. As women and children are suffering from malnutrition, it is the duty of the government to tackle it. He said the implementation of the Anna Bhagya and the Ksheera Bhagya schemes would help eradicate malnutrition in the State. Both schemes were implemented in spite of several administrative obstacles, he said and assured the people the schemes would continue without a hitch.
Irrigation
He said the State had experienced uneven rainfall, with some parts receiving more rain than others. The projects that would ensure the State’s share of water from the Cauvery and the Krishna are pending in court. The cases are in the final stage, and government will plan the sharing judiciously, he added.
