Date:13/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/13/stories/2007111367110400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Development process will be speeded up: Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

Yeddyurappa promises a result-oriented and responsive Government

Priority to law and order and communal harmony
Strategy to be chalked out for removal of regional imbalances

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has promised to provide a result-oriented and responsive Government by speeding up the process of development and implementing pro-people programmes enunciated by the previous coalition government.

Though the Janata Dal (S) is yet to join the Government headed by him, Mr. Yeddyurappa said: “a new chapter in the BJP-Janata Dal (S) coalition Government begins today and I am privileged to head the progressive State. My dream is further consolidate the State’s position in the national ranking, that is, to improve its position from the present seventh and make it to the forefront. We will leave no stone unturned to make Karnataka a model State in the country.”

The 64-year-old Chief Minister said that maintenance of law and order and communal harmony would be given priority. The “safety of minorities, weaker sections and women will be ensured”, he said.

Stating that pro-farmer policies would get a push, Mr. Yeddyurappa said creation and maintenance of infrastructure would be one of the top priorities. Besides regular tours to districts, the implementation of programmes would be periodically reviewed and priority would be given for time-bound implementation of irrigation projects, he said.

Objectives

The Chief Minister spelled out objectives of the Government, and said it would focus on comprehensive development of the State and chalk out a strategy for removal of regional imbalances.

Employment generation and poverty alleviation; tackling infrastructure bottlenecks in Bangalore; encouragement to information technology and biotechnology sectors; increasing power generation; and creation of a conducive atmosphere for investors would be the focus of the new Government, the Chief Minister added.

On rural infrastructure, he pointed out that the Government would focus on construction of roads, bridges, rejuvenation of tanks, access to easy farm loans, and supply of adequate quantity of fertilizers, pesticides and quality power to irrigation pumpsets.