From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 15: Underscoring the importance of heeding nature’s warning by maintaining a balance between development and environment, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced an Rs 100 crore plan for undertaking landslides in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region in collaboration with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM).

He was addressing the 78th Independence Day celebrations after unfurling the national tricolour at the Manikshaw Parade Grounds on MG Road in Bengaluru, where he inspected the ceremonial parade by batches of students from different colleges and schools, NCC wings and other armed forces based in the city.

As many as 1,351 villages in 250 grama panchayats located in the districts of Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Shivamogga and Hassan within the Western Ghats have be identified by the GSI as being ‘prone to landslides’, which is nature’s warning.

Siddaramaiah, who became chief minister for the second time after the Congress party won a massive majority of 136 seats out of 224 in the State assembly polls in May 2023, said the government faced two ‘contradictory situations’ during the two monsoon seasons.

“Last year, our State had severe drought and this year we have excess rain. Despite a delay in drought relief, our Government took measures to avoid inconveniences to the people,’ he said explaining that interim relief of up to Rs. 2000 each to the tune of Rs. 636.45 crore was disbursed in the first instalment. In total an input subsidy of Rs. 3454.66 crore has been disbursed to 38,58,737 farmers across the state, who suffered crop losses. A livelihood gratuitous relief of Rs. 512.83 crore was disbursed to 17.88 lakh small and marginal farmers.

He said that he visited the flood-affected districts and ministers also managed the situation by being stationed in district headquarters. “I have directed officials to provide relief for loss of human lives, livestock and damaged houses. It has been decided to allocate houses along with Rs. 1.2 lakh compensation for those lost houses,” he said.

Referring to the constant danger of human-wildlife conflict, he termed it as a ‘major challenge’ and said the government has initiated construction of 120 km of railway barricades. Additionally, 7 elephant task forces and 2 leopard task forces have been established.

Centre-State Relations

Touching on his pet theme of Centre-State relations, the Chief Minister said the Constitution clearly outlines the relationship between the Centre and the States in the federal system. While the states are responsible for implementing welfare programs, it is the Centre's duty to provide the necessary resources to support these efforts.

“In recent years, the Centre has been deviating from this principle, leading to discrimination in the allocation of funds to states. By ignoring constitutional principles, there is a tendency to delay the financial share due to the states, which is not in the interest of the people. Unfortunately, states are compelled to seek legal recourse to obtain their rightful share from the Centre,” he said calling upon the Central Government to understand the fact that the nation can develop only if States are developed and to release fair amount of grants to States for Development.

Multi-dimensional Programmes

Speaking at length on the multidimensional programmes taken by the government in industry, agriculture, infrastructure development, education etc. to accelerate the economic growth as also the government’s implementation of welfare programmes, he said Karnataka stands 3rd in the country by attracting Rs. 54,427 crore FDI during 2023-24.

The Chief Minister said MoUs have been signed with 13 industries with investment of Rs. 42,915 crore and creation of 22,600 jobs. As many as 591 Investment projects through single window committees were approved during 2023-24 with investment of Rs. 84,232 crore and employment generation for 1,56,986 people.

Apart from the proposed Global Investors’ Meet in February next year, the state Government has drafted Karnataka Clean Mobility Policy 2024-29 aiming to attract Rs. 50,000 crore investments within the clean mobility vehicle sector and creating approximately one lakh new jobs. The policy is now in its final stage of approval, he said.

To enhance entrepreneurship and promote start-ups in the agriculture sector and generate employment for rural youth, 40 agri-startups have been promoted under the Krishi Navodyama scheme. A Skill Advisory Committee has been established to provide skill training that matches the demand in the IT and BT sectors. The committee has submitted a detailed plan for courses aligned with industry needs, and steps will be taken to impart these skills.

Good infrastructure and transportation connectivity are accelerators for economic growth. In this regard, 1,917 KM of state highways, 2,502 KM of district main roads, and 150 bridges will be constructed in the current year. Under SHDP Phase 5, Government has approved development of 2,500 km highways at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,000 crore in 2 stages. Tender process is underway for the development of 1,467 km highways at an estimated cost of Rs. 4000 crore in stage – 1 of the project.

For the development of rural roads, a total of 803.32 KM of roads will be developed at a cost of Rs. 463.11 crores under PMGSY, Namma Grama Namma Raste, and Special Development Programme. In addition, steps have been taken to develop a total of 8,260 KM of roads at a cost of Rs. 6,190 crores under the Pragati Path and Kalyana Path schemes.

The ‘Brand Bengaluru’ concept is being implemented with the aim to make Bengaluru a world class city. It is intended to take up long term infrastructure development plans for the city through innovative Integrated Financial model with at least Rs. 48,686 crore. Implementing Peripheral Ring Road project in an effort to reduce traffic congestion is another initiative, he said.

The Chief Minister said Rs. 855.02 crore have been spent so far on the Yettinahole Project this year. The division and sub-division offices under the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam have been relocated to expedite the work and land acquisition processes for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project.

He said a state education policy is being formulated to build a free, fearless society and develop a higher education system on scientific temperament. Based on the interim report of the State Education Policy Commission set up by the Government, the duration and curriculum of undergraduate education have been revised.

“We must pay our true tributes to the freedom fighters by adhering to their dreams about the independent India. We must remember the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and all other freedom fighters,” he said paying tributes to Jawahar Lal Nehru for laying strong foundation for modern India on the base of scientific temperament and Secularism.

“Let us shed caste, religious, and linguistic differences, respect the diversity of our country, and progress on the path of development by upholding integrity. We must work to ensure that political freedom is preserved by providing social and economic freedom to all. Let us all work together to achieve this goal and build a nation with healthy, prosperous, and equitable society,” he added quoting Rashtrakavi Kuvempu.