Karnataka govt bungles on getting JNNRUM funds

Bangalore, May 5 (UNI) Karnataka State had lost precious time in getting sufficient funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM), as it had failed to submit proposals for financial assistance from the center in time, Dr Kirit S Parikh, Member Planning Commission, informed here today.

Delivering the valedictory address at the seminar on '11th Five Year Plan of Karnataka: Perspective', jointly organised by the Karnataka State Planning Board and Institute for Social and Economic Change, he said, "Karnataka had failed to submit plans in time and get larger share of the fund," he said.

Stating that the infrastructure facilities in Bangalore, which touted as the Knowledge capital of the country, needed to be upgraded and State Government can do a lot than what the center could in this regard. "To improve infrastructure assets and its better management, there is a need to involve private participation and moot more Public-Private partnerships.

Expressing concern that despite reforms introduced in the power sector long back, little progress was seen, while transfer and distribution loss remained the same.

Lauding the Gujarat Government's success in segregating the Agriculture sector in Power feeders Dr Parikh said that it had helped to rationalise the power supply to farming sector and ensure 8 hours unhindered power supply. The ESCOMS in Gujarath also recorded surplus budget, he said.

He said that despite heavy investments made into the Irrigation sector most of the state governments failed to bridge the gap between the money spent on the projects and the potential created.

"The Planning Commission takes this issue very seriously and has decided to hold a study to know the lacunae. It has identified over 50 Irrigation Projects which have been funded by the Center under the Accelerated Irrigation Projects to monitor the progress to realise full potential quickly," he said.

Dr Parikh said while the Planning Commission accord top priority to higher education it considers Vacational Training Institutions as very important to create skills among young. There was plans to support the Training Institutions.

The Planning Commission was worried on lack of access of health services in rural areas and called for motivating more doctors to work at the rural places.

UNI