District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai said here on Tuesday that he would meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah soon and seek, among others, funds for the proposed Paschima Vahini project in Dakshina Kannada.
The project involves constructing a series of check-dams at different points along major rivers in the district for recharging ground water.
Mr. Rai told presspersons that he was pushing for the implementation of the project by the Major Irrigation Department.
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He said that nobody could stop the ongoing Yettinahole project that was approved by the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Reports that the project meant to provide water to the arid regions of the State would cause harm to the Western Ghats was unfounded. “When the Kaiga Power Project was initiated, there was a hue and cry that it would cause harm to the ecology. See now, is there any harm,” Mr. Rai asked.
Mr. Rai said that he would seek Rs. 10 crore from the Chief Minister for completing the works related to the new building of Government Lady Goschen Hospital.
A part of the 163-year-old hospital was brought down in 2011 and construction of a new building at a cost of Rs. 21 crore was taken up. Delay in completion of the work has caused problems to patients. Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim told presspersons that the construction work was in the final stage and it would be completed in three months. A proposal had been made to the State government for sanction of Rs. 10 crore towards installation of lifts, purchase of operation table and other equipment.
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