Karnataka - Bangalore

Government committed to State's development, says Kumaraswamy

Special Correspondent

`Plan worked out for improving infrastructure in Bangalore'

BANGALORE: The two-day special session of the legislature convened by the Government to discuss the President's address to the joint session of the legislature on November 20 last, to mark the Suvarna Karnataka celebrations, concluded on Friday with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy reiterating that the Government was committed to the overall development of the State.

In his reply to the lengthy debate, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the President had provided a very important scheme for the progress of the State and this would be adhered to with all sincerity. Adequate provisions aimed at the implementation of the schemes would be also be made in the budget to be presented on March 20 by Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. The highlight of the two-day debate was the address by the former Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash who spoke on a variety of subjects pertaining to development, agriculture and industrialisation.

In his address, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had given a 10-year plan for implementation and had even suggested that his vision could be discussed in the legislature in the interests of the development of the State. Over 30 members cutting across party lines spoke on the President's address and all of them heaped praise on Dr. Kalam on studying various facets of the State and the ways and means of ensuring overall development.

Referring to doubts over metro rail, Mr. Kumaraswamy said neither he nor his father and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda was against it and credit in fact should be given to the latter for initiating the metro rail project in New Delhi. As per a recent order, the State Government had directed that land acquisition for the project in certain pockets should be suspended since there was government land where the metro rail stations could be located. He said the metro rail would also necessarily have to have a feeder service. This would be done by augmenting the fleet of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and if need be, commission a monorail. The Government has also worked out a detailed plan to improve the infrastructure in Bangalore. There were no differences between the Government and the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike on improving the infrastructure of Bangalore. Mr. Kumaraswamy said apart from the fillip given to the information technology and the biotechnology sectors, the Government would give a boost to the garment units which had a huge employment potential. Seven new apparel parks would come up in the State and a private garment exporter had also signed an understanding with the Government to set up a garment manufacturing unit at Kanakapura in Bangalore Rural district with an investment of Rs. 300 crores.

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