State cannot be split, says Krishna

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, NOV. 26. Reiterating his Government's commitment to the welfare of farmers, the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, on Monday asserted that he was ready to prove this with facts. Launching development works for Hassan District at a public function here, he said that instances of the Congress government having gone to the aid of farmers in distress were many.

On the criticism of the former Prime Minister, Mr. H.D.Deve Gowda, that his Government was ``anti-farmer,'' Mr. Krishna said that he was willing to accept such criticism in the right spirit.

He said the Government's action in releasing funds for early completion of major irrigation projects and purchasing crops under minimum support price were all steps taken to aid farmers in their times of need. However, the Government could not satisfy its detractors despite its best intentions, he added.

Referring to the development projects in the district, he said that the progress of the State was interlinked with the progress of the districts. Stating that the Government was committed to the integrated development of the State, he said that it was surprising that voices for a separate State were being raised in North Karnataka.

He said the Government took up the Upper Krishna Project and replied to the objections raised by Andhra Pradesh against the implementation of the Alamatti Project with a view to speed up the progress of North Karnataka. The region was the biggest beneficiary of the Rs.3,000 crores spent by the Government on irrigation projects in the State.

Asserting that the Government would not allow the State to be split, he said North Karnataka would benefit once the Upper Krishna Project was completed in the next three years. He said the Government was handicapped by the tribunal's award as far as the Cauvery Basin projects were concerned and hoped that an early solution would pave the way for the development of 11.2 lakh acres of land in the river basin.

Mr. Krishna said the Government would take up gauge conversion of the Hassan-Mangalore rail line this year at a cost of Rs.261 crore. He said it had entered into an understanding with the Railway Ministry, first of its kind in the country, and added that the completion of the project would ensure prosperity of the region.

Referring to the Special Economic Zone to be set up at Hassan, he said the Government would acquire a further 1,500 acres of land. The zone would spur economic growth in the region, he added.

Stating that the Government had launched a 15-year maintenance contract of State highways at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore, he said plans were under way to improve major district roads. Announcements regarding this project, to be taken up in phases, would be made in the next Budget.

Lauding the success of Stree Shakti programme, Mr. Krishna warned the excise contractors who were terrorising women's self- help groups opposing the sale of arrack in villages. He advised them to carry out their trade in a humane manner and earn revenue for the Government. He urged the women to stand up for their rights and not be cowed down by pressure tactics.

Earlier, Mr. Krishna's Cabinet colleagues, Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr. Kagodu Thimappa, Ms. Motamma, Mr. B.B.Chimmanakatti, and Mr. H.C.Srikantaiah, highlighted the development works initiated by them. Mr. G.Puttaswamy Gowda, Hassan MP, made the introductory remarks.

Mr. Ambarish, Mandya MP, Mr. Harnahalli Ramaswamy, Chairman, State Administrative Reforms Commission, and Mr. B.Shivram, Gandsi MLA, spoke. Mr. K.H.Hanume Gowda, Hassan MLA, presided over the function. Mr. G.V.Sidappa, Arsikere MLA and District Congress Committee President, welcomed the gathering.

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Section  : Southern States
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