Hyderabad-Karnataka Devt Board to be strengthened

Sedam, Karnataka, Jan 4 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today said the Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board would be strengthened by allocating more funds in the next budget to develop the backward H-K region.

Addressing a press meet here, he said the Nanjundappa Committee on regional imbalance had identified 39 taluks in the State as most backward areas. He would visit the areas along with senior officials within three months to monitor development, he added, hoping that these taluks would be developed in three to four years.

Mr Yediyurappa said Rs ten crore had been sanctioned to construct an airport in Gulbarga, besides Rs 20 crore to Hubli, Rs 15 crore to Belgaum and Rs 5.83 crore to Shimoga to augment infrastructure in the airports.

Stating that about 20 per cent of the 36,000 irrigation tanks in the State have been encroached upon by landlords, he said he had instructed all Deputy Commissioners to take steps to confiscate them. ''If all the tanks are desilted and used for irrigation purpose, an additonal two lakh acres can be brought under irrigation.'' The Deputy Chief Minister said Rs 2,330 crore had been released additionally to carry out various developmental works in the State, of which Rs 375 crore was earmarked for developing roads in urban areas and Rs 100 crore in rural areas.

He said revenue collection had increased by 30 per cent up to December last at Rs 12,988 crore.

Earlier, he addressed the valedictory function of youth farmers awareness programme and assured to develop the backward H-K region.

He also launched the 'Janasri Bheema Yojana' sheep insurance scheme in Gulbarga.

UNI