Bangalore: Finally, Siddu regime set to create 43 new taluks

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jan 9: Finally, the Siddaramaiah regime is all to create 43 new taluks.
 
An announcement on the creation of the new taluks is expected to be made by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Karnataka’s forthcoming budget during the ensuing State Legislature session, which may be held during February-March.
 
Karnataka’s Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad, who indicated the State Government’s move to carve out 43 new taluks said the move was aimed ensuring effective delivery of public services.

He said the State Government has decided to go ahead with the proposal made by the previous BJP government on formation of new taluks.

"We are not against the proposal made by the previous Jagadish Shettar government,” he adding: ''We are planning to announce the creation of new taluks in the State budget for 2014-15.”

The Congress, which was in the Opposition, had criticised the then BJP Government’s decision on carving out new taluks terming it as part of the "election strategy" to woo the electorate during the State Assembly elections.

Prasad said Rs 5 crore would be required to form a new taluk and provide basic facilities to the taluk administration and the total financial burden on the State Exchequer would be around Rs 250 crore.

The State Government has also received several new proposals on carving out new taluks from the existing ones.

A final decision would be taken after consultation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shortly, he said.

To a query on auctioning of recovered lands by the government, he said a decision has been taken not to auction recovered lands in Bangalore and other parts of the State.

The government would use recovered lands for public purpose, he said.

The A T Ramaswamy panel had identified thousands of acres of encroachment of government lands.

Steps have been taken to recover lands from the real estate mafia, he said.

He said there was no shortage of funs to implement drought relief measures in the State.

The Centre had released Rs 68 crore each in two instalments, the minister said.

The State Government had released Rs 200 crore to take up relief measures in 98 drought-hit taluks.

Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts have been instructed to give priority to supply drinking water and fodder in drought-prone taluks, he said.

On the inclusion of more taluks in the drought-hit list, Prasad said the Cabinet sub-committee on drought would take a decision after consultations with legislators.