Yeddyurappa asks public sector banks to adopt one village each

Amasebail, Karnataka, Oct 10 (UNI) Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said he would very shortly convene a meeting of the heads of public sector banks to suggest them to adopt one village in every district for its overall development and extend loans at six per cent to Stree Shakti Self Help Groups (SHG).

Speaking after inaugurating Amasebail Charitable Trust (ACT), Rural Development Programmes and Adoption of Amasebail village by Mangalore based Karnataka Bank Limited here he said if each bank functioning in the state would come forward to adopt one village from each district in the state, the day would not be far off to realise the 'strengthened Gram Swaraj' dream of Mahatma Gandhi. The government would also provide all required assistance in realising this dream, he assured.

The government, with the support of people of the state, aimed at bringing a total economic and social change in every village in its five-year rule in the state, he said.

He said he had also decided to set up a committee of eminent senior people and thinkers who have made remarkable contributions to the society.

He reiterated that there was no dearth of fund for taking up any developmental activities in the state. But, we are lacking political commitment which had made the successive government unable to achieve anything.

The surplus additional funds required for the new programmes initiated by his government were met with the revenue collected by plugging the leakages in several departments. An additional Rs 1200 crore revenue was expected this year by way of further plugging the leakages. However, Mr Yadyurappa regretted that the growing terrorism, corruption and conversion not only in the state but in the entire country had become the stumbling block in the economic progress of the state.

Earlier, at another programme held at Kota in Kundpura taluk of Udupi district speaking after presenting Dr K Shivarama Karnath Huttoora (Native place) prashasthi pradhan 2008, instituted by Kotathattu Gram Panchayat, he announced that the government would provide one acre land and Rs 1 crore for setting permanent memorial in the name of Jnanapeeta awardee late Dr Karanth.

Referring to the 20-month coalition rule in the state, he said he was forced to function as Deputy Chief Minister in a 'suffocating atmosphere'. Though he had become the Chief Minister for seven days with the support by the JD(S) thereafter, the condition forwarded by the 'father and the son' could not make to prolong in the seat, he added.

Earlier, inaugurating 'Annayajna' complex for wastes management at the famous Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi, the Chief Minister announced Rs 25 lakh in addition to the already sanctioned Rs 25 lakh. He said the government had decided to celebrate Kanakadasa Jayanthi in a grand manner before Vidhana Soudha on November 15. The programme would also be held at Udupi and at the birth place of the great devotee of Lord Sri Krishna at Bada. The government had also released Rs 1 crore for setting up Kanaka Study Centre here which would be inaugurated here tomorrow, he added.

UNI MA AE BST0023