N-K strikes gold
Keeping in mind the electorate, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has announced a plethora of schemes for North Karnataka region.
With the Assembly elections due in May, the ruling BJP is making all-out efforts to woo the voters. Creation of new taluks, hike in funds for irrigation projects, funds to religious mutts, new drinking projects and funds for basic amenities in seven districts of the region are clear indication of the BJP’s efforts to consolidate its position in this region.
Shettar has sent a clear message that his party’s target is North Karnataka as the region had fetched them seats in the 2008 polls.
As drinking water has been one of the major problems, the government has proposed to take up a scheme to provide continuous water supply in Bijapur district at `885 crore with partial assistance from the Centre, under Kannada Ganga Phase-1.
It also wants to provide UGD and water supply to the Tungabhadra River basin and benefit Davangere, Harihar, Ranebennur and Byadgi with the assistance of Asian Development Bank.
The government plans to provide `10 crore for comprehensive development of Kerur town in Badami taluk, construction of ring road in Belgaum, `10 crore for development of Rani Chennamma University and Rs 10 crore for Women’s University, Bijapur.
To improve medical education, the government has given approval to start medical colleges in seven districts, including Gadag and Haveri.
It has provided Rs 407.63 crore for infrastructure in six medical colleges; Rs 69 crore for four colleges, including Hubli. The government has proposed to increase intake of students in six medical colleges, including in Belgaum from 100 to 150.