Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Wednesday, said that the government was committed to ushering in a hunger-free State and shore up growth.
Speaking at a public function at T. Narsipura after participating in the launch of various projects, including inauguration of a new bridge and laying the foundation stone for two new bridges, Mr. Siddaraiamaiah, said that the government had taken policy initiatives (to make the State hunger-free) by launching the Anna Bhagya scheme.
Under this, the government was providing 30 kg of rice at Re. 1 per kg for which Rs. 4,200 crore would be spent every year, while the Union government has passed the Food Security Bill which would benefit nearly 65 per cent of the country’s population, he added.
He said that the government would make the State hut-free by constructing 15 lakh houses over the next five years. Recalling the government’s allocations to various development work and agriculture, the Chief Minister said that Rs. 50,000 crore would be spent on irrigation projects during the next five years with an assured allocation of Rs. 10,000 crore in the budget every year.
Referring to the criticisms from certain quarters against Shaadi Bhagya scheme and the agitation by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on the issue, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the government would not yield to any pressure. It was mentioned in the budget and funds were allocated for it and the programme was being unveiled now. However, the Chief Minister said that the government would contemplate extending its benefits to women from the economically weaker sections of society from all communities.
The new bridge across the river Kapila was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes.
Mr. Fernandes said that the new bridge fulfilled a long-pending demand of the people of the region and that it would enhance connectivity. He said that the Union government had released Rs. 1,000 crore for road repair work in the State under which road development, including repair and asphalting, would be taken up to improve road link. The work would be completed by March next, he added.
The two bridges for which Mr. Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone are the one across the river Kapila at Hejjige and the other across the river Cauvery.
Mysore MP A.H. Vishwanath, Chamrajanagar MP R. Dhruvanarayan and district in-charge Minister V. Srinivas Prasad were present.
