Monday, February 27 2006 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hubli: Completion of irrigation projects, infrastructure development, provision of drinking water facilities and implementation of the Nanjundappa report on regional imbalance, were some top priorities of the new BJP-JDS coalition government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to sources here today (Feb 27 2006) before emplaning for Bangalore, he said the government would look into the issues pertaining to north Karnataka as promised by JDS/BJP.

A sum of Rs 13 lakh had already been disbursed to those farmers who had suffered heavy losses owing to the accidental fire that gutted maize crop at Aralikatti village in Belguam district on February 24. An additional Rs 15 lakh from the Chief Minister's relief fund would be released soon, he said.

The Belgaum District Deputy Commissioner has been directed to build houses under the Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana scheme for those whose dwellings had been razed in the fire.

The government was planning a provision of a separate revolving funds in this year's budget to cover accidental fire, the Chief Minister added.

Regarding the Kalasa/Bandoori Nala Project, he said during his visit to New Delhi, Kumaraswamy said he and the Deputy Chief Minister had met the Prime Minister and requested him to vacate the stay on the project to enable taking up the project work.

The work relates to drawing up 7.8 tmc of water from these nalas to permanently solve the drinking water problem of Dharwad/Hubli.

The Chief Minister stressed that the coalition Government was 'pro-farmer and pro-poor.'