Thanks to the sustained efforts of Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun and MLA Shamannur Shivashankarappa, development works worth ₹2,500 crore have been implemented in Davangere, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday. These projects include the construction of Indira Glass House (₹13 crore) and the Jalasiri scheme (₹471 crore).
He was speaking at the Janashirvada programme organised by the district Congress unit here. He said that in the past five years, steps have been taken to protect the interests of all communities in the State by ensuring proper facilities for them under various government schemes.
He said the government has spent ₹58,000 crore on irrigation projects. He said BJP leaders, including their State president B.S. Yeddyurappa, have been saying they will spend a total of ₹1 lakh crore on irrigation projects if they come to power, but “the question is why they did not do that when the party was in the power”. “Instead of misguiding people and farmers, BJP leaders should concentrate on the development of the state,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
In order to ensure proper food to all citizens, Indira Canteens have been opened in different parts of the State. Eight such canteens have been opened in Davangere district and few more will be opened, depending on requirement, he said.
The Chief Minister said BJP leaders had no moral right to comment about the welfare of farmers as they had not taken any steps to protect their interests by waiving their loans and providing them other facilities during drought. But the Congress government has waived farmer loans up to ₹50,000, he said.
Horticulture Minister S.S. Mallikarjun said the development works implemented in the district include a high-tech APMC market at a cost of ₹10 crore, installation of drinking water purification units, and the Indira Glass House. Though the Union government has declared Davangere in the list of smart cities for development, development works implemented so far have all been using funds released by the State government, he added.
