Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar stated that based on the success of solar-powered irrigation pumpsets (IP) being implemented as a pilot project at each district in four divisions, the project will be extended to other districts.
He was speaking after inaugurating the new building of HDMC-run Chitaguppi Hospital.
Shettar stated that state government has been planning to promote the solar-powered IP for which `50 crore had been allocated.
“Apart from catering to the needs of farmers, the initiative will lessen the power crunch in the state,” he added. Highlighting various programmes announced in the budget, Shettar said that he had emphasised the need for developing Hubli-Dharwad as model cities.
“I am ready to face criticism over making huge allocations to the twin cities,” he stated.
The CM added that funds have also been provided for conducting the survey for introducing a high speed rail between Bangalore-Hubli-Belgaum cities.
“Steps have also been initiated to strengthen Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissionerate and `5 crore has been released for establishing the court complex in Hubli,” he added.
“Carving of 43 new taluks will facilitate decentralisation and take the administration to the doorsteps. The demarcation of new taluks will soon begin,” he added.
Shettar said that the place for setting up of the tahsildar office at Hubli will be decided after consultation with stakeholders.
Shettar also ridiculed the efforts made by his opponents to destabilise his government.
“Although they claimed I would not present the state budget, I have done it,” he said. He was confident that he would complete his term while clarifying that the proposal of dissolving the state government was not before the government.
MP Prahlad Joshi, former minister Basavaraj Horatti, MLA Chandrakant Bellad and Mayor Pandurang Patil were present.