D.K. Shivakumar, Minister for Water Resources and Medical Education, has said that he will convene a meeting of officials to elicit views on recouping the State’s share of water going waste into Tungabhadra river and also on improving the functioning of Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) teaching hospital here.
Mr. Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in charge of Ballari district, was here to participate in the Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday. “I’m aware of these two important issues – storage capacity of TB dam getting reduced owing to accumulation of silt and also about the problems dogging VIMS. I will initiate all necessary steps to improve the situation,” he said. Mr. Shivakumar also said that he would accord priority to create awareness among farmers, particularly of the Tungabhadra Command Area, and educate them over adopting improvised and disciplined approach in agriculture, which would not only help save water and power but also retain the fertility of the soil.
The Minister, who had to postpone the quarterly review meeting in the wake of the model code of conduct being in force owing to elections to urban local bodies, said that he had directed the officials of all levels to work in a people-friendly manner and be available at the designated headquarters. He has also asked them to photograph and videograph all development works before paying the bills.
