K'taka Minister pulls up HKADB officials

Gulbarga, Aug 27: Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister Ramachandra Gowda today expressed dissatisfiction over the functioning of the Hyderbad-Karnataka Area Development Board (HKADB) and warned stern action against erring officials.

Addressing a press conference after participating in a review meeting of HKADB here, he said development works in the region were going on at a snail's pace due to lack of coordination between the Board officials and implementing agency. The Board had kept pending as many as 1338 development works in the region, he pointed out.

He said he had directed the officials to submit accounts within 15 days for Rs 32.90 crore sanctioned to the Board.

The minister announced that he would discuss with the Chief Minister the need for setting up an airport in Gulbarga.

UNI