'Suvarna Gramodaya' scheme to be launched soon: Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, Jan 29 (UNI) The Karnataka Government's ambitious 'Suvarna Gramodaya' scheme, intended to develop 1,000 villages at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore, will be launched soon, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said today.

Speaking to newspersons after attending a review meeting here, he said President A P J Abdul Kalam would be invited to formally launch the scheme at a remote village in northern Karnataka.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that under the scheme, it was envisaged to improve the living conditions in villages by taking up comprehensive developmental works, spending one crore per village. Construction of all-weather inner cement roads, providing drinking water, sanitation facility and proper drainage system to these select villages would be taken up in the first phase.

Stating that the State Government had reserved Rs 250 crore and there was no dearth of funds for the scheme, he said 1,025 villages have been identified for the purpose and priority would be given to those villages coming under most backward regions.

State Panchayat Raj Minister C M Udasi, who was also present, said the scheme was expected to become a national model, to be followed by other States.

UNI