Mahatma Gandhi inspired me stay in villages: Kumaraswamy

Gulbarga, Karnataka, Feb 25 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was the inspiration for his 'Village Stay'.

Speaking at a function organised to launch 'Suvarna Gramodaya' by President A P J Abdul Kalam at in Srinivas Saradgi village in this district, he said that "I got inspiration from the Mahatma Gandhi who strived to uplift the oppressed rural poor." He said that his government was committed to take up development of 1000 villages every year under 'Suvarna Gramodaya'. Under the project development of infrastructure and creation of various facilities to help the farmers would be taken up.

The Chief Minister warned the officials of serious action against those who showed laxity in implementing the scheme.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said there was no dearth of funds for development of Villages under the Scheme.

Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan also spoke.

Earlier President went round the Srinivas Sadargi village and planted a tree sapling at Panchayat office. He visited the computer room of the panchayat and enquired the about the implementation of rural employment guarantee scheme.

The villagers presented a memento to the President who wrote on a large sized greeting card appreciating the group of folk dancers who accorded him a traditional welcome earlier.

UNI