Kollur (Udupi): Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh has said that his Government has made available 350 seats to non-Karnataka merit students in professional colleges in the State.

The number of such seats would be increased if required, he told reporters on Saturday (Aug 8, 2004).

He said for the first time, legislation had been enacted to protect the interests of the poor and merit students without succumbing to the pressure of the private managements.

Replying to another question, he said he had received a letter from former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda but was yet to go through it.

Gowda had written to Singh demanding that a probe be ordered into alleged irregularities in various projects implemented by Bangalore Development Authority during the last five years.

On the naxalite issue, he said it has a social background. He added that the Government was ready to hold a dialogue with the naxalite groups to solve their problems. Senior officials have visited the 'naxalite prone forest areas,' the Chief Minister added.