K'taka CM responds to public queries through live programme

Bangalore, Apr 20 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will seek Rs 3000 crore assistance from the World Bank for taking up modernisation of all irrigation canals in the state.

This was informed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy when one of the participants at a live programme, 'Hello CM,' organised by DD's Chandana channel to enable viewers to interact with him, asked about frequent breaches in the Tungabhadra irrigation canals in Raichur district.

He said the government had decided to approach the World Bank to improve the canal system of both Krishna and Cauvery basin irrigational projects. It would be submitting a detailed project report on modernisation of canals in the state to the World Bank while seeking the financial assistance.

Once modernisation works were completed, irrigation potential of the state would improve, besides offering a solution to farmers living in the tail-end areas.

On the demand for banning hourly-draws of Karnataka State Lotteries, Mr Kumaraswamy pointed out that it provided jobs to over two lakh people in the state and said a final decision would be taken in this regard after holding consultations with authorities concerned.

To a query on land grabbing, the Chief Minister said the government would not only initiate stringent action against those involved in grabbing valuable government land in and around the city, but also against the government officials who had connived with them.

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