From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 4: Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily favoured implementation of the Yettinahole in Sakleshpur in Hassan district to solve the severe drinking water crisis in Tumkur, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Doddaballapur, and Hoskote.

He was addressing a pubic meeting after laying foundation stones for 17 projects worth over Rs. 200 crore in the Hoskote Assembly constituency represented by Karnataka’s Labour and Silk Minister B N Bache Gowda.

Moily, who is the Lok Sabha member from Chikkaballapur and is a former chief minister, said 5 tmcft of water would be drawn from Yettinahole and supplied to the southern districts in the State through a pipeline.

Yettinahole is a tributary of the West-flowing Netravathi river flowing in the coastal Dakshina Kannada district.

Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda presided over the function.

Responding to Karnataka’s demand for reducing import duty on silk as voiced by Minister Bache Goiwda, Moily suggested that the State Government should submit a detailed memorandum to the Centre on the negative impact of reduction of import on sericulture growers in the State.

He promised to extend whatever support that he could exert and wanted the State Government to launch a concerted campaign to mobilise support.

The prices of cocoons had crashed from Rs. 350 to Rs. 150 a kg following reduction of import duty from 30 per cent to 5 per cent by the Centre.

Moily urged the State Government to shift the Bangalore Rural District Deputy Commissioner’s office from Bangalore to Hoskote or any other town in the district, which would automatically help in development of infrastructure facilities and will be convenient to the local people.

Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda declared that the State Government will develop Hoskote as a satellite town to decongest Bangalore City and said the Government would shortly submit a comprehensive proposal to the Centre in this regard.

The Centre grants funds for improving drainage, drinking water and road facilities in the satellite town and the State Government take up measures for developing infrastructure facilities, he said.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a BMTC depot built at a cost of Rs. 4.70 crore at Hoskote and laid stones for other development projects.

A health scheme, named ‘Sabala,’ was also launched. A new bus-stand would also be built at Hoskote for the benefit of commuters, the Chief Minister said.