From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 7: With more than half of the state under severe drought conditions, government of Karnataka is planning to offer some relief to the farmers by offering waiver of interest amount for those who pay the principal amount by March 31, 2017.

The state government’s initiative is expected to benefit about 2.25 lakh farmers.

Governor Vajubhai Vala in his address to the joint session of state legislature on Monday lauded the state government's programmes for the welfare of the farming community.

"Several market interventions have been initiated to rescue farmers from hardship caused due to the prevalent low agricultural commodity prices. These include procurement of onions at minimum support price at a cost of Rs 65 crore, procurement of coconuts at a cost of Rs 155 crore and payment of a bonus of Rs 450 per quintal for procuring tur dal," he said.

The state government had promised to invest Rs 50,000 crore on irrigation in five years, of which Rs 42,540 crore has already been spent in the last four years to bring large tracts of land under irrigation.

Karnataka has achieved a revolutionary transformation in making villages 'Open Defecation Free'.

At the end of 2016, as many as 26 lakh toilets have been constructed in rural areas, 4954 villages, 26 taluks and 5 districts have been declared as Open Defecation Free, he said.

The governor appreciated the progress in housing sector too in making the state 'hut-free' by stating that 10.42 lakh houses have been built since 2013-14. About 6 lakh more houses would be built in the remaining tenure of the present government, he said.

Upgradation of Kidwai Hospital

Highlighting the improvement in health services, Vala said, in the past 3 years, 2708 beds have been provided in government teaching and super speciality hospitals.

In the current year, a unit of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research would become functional in Mysuru.

Upgradation of the Kidwai Cancer Institute of Bengaluru including installation of Linear Acceleration Equipments and Robotic Equipments would be completed.

Four Skill Development Centres with Siemens

Karnataka is laying special emphasis in maintaining its edge in human resources by setting up four Centres of Excellence for Skills development in Bengaluru, Kalaburgi, Dandeli and Mysuru in association with M/s Siemens.

The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Corporation is setting up new industrial estates at Sarathi, Chikkahosalli, Muttugadahalli, Ullarthikaval, Kundapura and Hireshakunahalli, Vala said.

Synthetic tracks in 13 stadiums

Giving a boost for sports infrastructure in the state, Synthetic Athletic Tracks are being laid 13 stadiums, a multipurpose indoor stadium in Belagavi and a modern velodrome for cycling in Vijayapura would be ready soon. Bengaluru Hockey Stadium is also being upgraded, the governor said.