New K'taka Govt committed to bridge urban-rural gap: Governor

Bangalore, Feb 24 (UNI) Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi today went ahead with his address to the joint session of the state Legislature, even as the opposition parties staged a walk out protesting it, and announced that the new coalition set up in the state was committed to bridge the widening gap between urban and rural areas by implementing a novel scheme, 'Rural Infrastructural Programme.' Delivering the address, prepared by the JD (S)-BJP coalition government highlighting its policies and programmes, the Governor said the new government would take up the task of providing drinking water, quality primary education and health facilities on a warfooting to the poor.

Stating that the new government was committed to making Karnataka a model state by providing efficient, forward looking and honest governance, he said ''My government will traverse a dynamic path of development to bring peace and contentment to all citizens.'' He said the government was keen on taking care of the welfare of all sections of the society and ensuring top priority to all round development, with a focus on social justice and maintenance of harmony. Specific policies and programmes would be chalked out to achieve a growth rate of eight to ten per cent in Gross Domestic Product and more than four per cent agricultural growth, he added.

Later, talking to newspersons after the House was adjourned following the completion of the Governor's address, Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh said there was no need for the Governor to have delivered the address as he had already done it on January 19.

Describing the Governor's address as ''unconstitutional'' and ''unneccessary,'' he said ''It is a black day in the history of the state Legislature.'' The Congress would draw the attention of the Centre in this regard.

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