Yediyurappa challenges Oppn leaders for open debate

Bangalore, Feb 3 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today challenged the Opposition party leaders to join him for a debate on the performance of the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government, headed by Mr H D Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to newspersons at his residence here on completion of one year in office, he said the State Government had implemented various schemes such as providing agricultural loan at four per cent interest, distribution of bicycles to 1.75 lakh girl students and taken measures to complete 39 ongoing irrigation schemes. A Trust would soon be set up under the Chief Secretary to utilise Rs 236 crore earmarked for the implementation of 'Bhagyalakshmi' scheme for girl children, he added.

Mr Yediyurappa said the Government would soon decide on the quantum of crop loan to be waived and the decision would be announced in the budget next month. The Government was committed to it and would provide funds without waiting for the sale of encroached lands retrieved by the Government recently. Farmers had stopped repaying loans immediately after the Government made an announcement in this regard, he added.

He said the Government had spent 55 per cent of the budgetary allocations in one year and it would cross 90 per cent by March-end.

Financial growth of the State was expected to cross 30 per cent from the present 26 per cent by then. The State Government had provided Rs 2,330 crore additional funds other than those mentioned in the budget, he explained.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the State stood first in resources mobilisation and the Centre had appreciated the State's financial discipline. Revenue collection during January 2006 stood at Rs 18,768 crore as against Rs 14,902.86 crore during the same period last year, an increase of 26 per cent.

UNI