BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy will launch developmental programmes and lay the foundation of an engineering college during his three-day visit to Chamarajanagar district from May 27.

Minister for Kannada and Culture H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, who is in charge of Chamarajanagar district told presspersons here on Saturday that Mr. Kumaraswamy would initiate development schemes worth nearly Rs. 300 crore.

The Chief Minister will stay overnight at Badagalmole village on May 27. The village has 152 households. All families in the village, comprising mainly members of the Uppara community, have been categorised as living below the poverty line. Mr. Kumaraswamy will inaugurate the construction of 82 houses, which will be distributed to families living below the poverty line. A special package will be announced for the welfare of the Uppara community.

The Chief Minister will launch a Rs. 102-crore project to supply drinking water to 116 villages in Chamarajanagar district and 131 villages in Gundlupet taluk from the Kabini river. The Centre will provide 75 per cent of the funds and the State will come up with the remainder. The project will provide drinking water to 2.78 lakh residents of Chamarajanagar district and 1.69 lakh residents of Gundlupet taluk. Mr. Prasad represents Gundlupet in the Legislative Assembly.

The building for the engineering college will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. Mr. Kumaraswamy will inaugurate a VIP guesthouse, lay the foundation stone of a folk art study centre and launch work on renovation of the Male Mahadeshwara temple, Mr. Prasad said.

On May 28, the Chief Minister will stay the night at Bedakampana village, a tribal hamlet in M.M. Hills and is expected to announce a special package for the welfare of the tribal people.

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