From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 2: A promise to set aside Rs 10,000 crore a year for providing potable drinking water in all villages in next three years is the ruling Congress party’s promise to the people in its manifesto for the ongoing zilla and taluk panchayat polls.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC President Dr G Parameshwara, who is also the State Home Minister, who released the 21-page manifesto at the Congress Bhavan in Bengaluru on Tuesday, said the State Government would take steps for providing RO plants in all villages to ensure purified water.
A commissionerateat the State level would be established for ensuring supply of pure drinking water, the manifesto said.
Provision of Internet broadband connections to all gram panchayats for implementing e-governance, establishment of information kiosks and computerisation of records are some of the other major promises made by the ruling Congress in its election manifesto.
The manifesto that a requirement of Rs 45,000 crore investment was needed to ensure 62 tmcft water for providing drinking water for 29,000 villages across the State.
A sum of Rs 2,000 crore would be set aside a year for land development in rain-fed areas and boost income of the farmers, he said.
The manifesto made 92 promises for rural development and strengthening of rural local bodies. The first phase of the ZP/TP lections would be held on February 13.
The Chief Minister promised more devolution of powers to panchayat raj institutions in the coming days for effective implementation of rural development schemes. He expressed confidence of winning majority of seats in ZP polls.
The KPCC chief termed the manifesto “progressive” as it had taken into account all issues at the grassroot level.
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department has been implementing 21-point programme for development of villages.
To bring confidence among the farming community, the manifesto promises establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The commission would comprise of experts and farmers’ leaders and would take steps for counselling of the distressed farmers, the manifesto said.