Monday, August 15 2005 13:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Aug 15, 2005) unveiled a five-point programme covering employment and food guarantee, health, compulsory primary education and basic facilities for school children.

Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations here, Singh said a high-level state committee would be formed to guide implementation of the "Chief Minister's five-point programme".

Asserting that the Government was committed to ensuring a "hunger free society", Singh said providing food would be declared a "human right" and legislation would be passed to give effect to it.

A programme would be chalked out and implemented in this regard with effect from October two --Gandhi Jayanti --to help the poorer sections of society, he said.

Secondly, it was also proposed to work out a scheme, to be implemented from November 19, for providing employment guarantee to one adult from a family who comes forward voluntarily to work at the minimum wage in rural areas.

A bill had been prepared in this regard after public debate, he said.

Singh said, similarly, a health scheme for the poorest of the poor and agricultural labourers in rural areas would be implemented from January one, 2006.

Fourthly, Government would also strictly implement the policy to provide compulsory primary education to children.

Another programme to provide basic facilities in Government primary schools such as drinking water, toilet and playground would be implemented from November 14, the children's day, within a two-year time frame, he said.

The Independence Day function was held amidst unprecedented security with four specially trained commandos in deployment, apart from 5,000 policemen and Karnataka State Reserve Police.