K'taka Govt would take steps to solve water problem: CM

Bangalore, Nov 25 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will constitute Task Forces at Taluk level with local legislators as heads to solve drinking water problem in rural areas, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said today.

Talking to newspersons here, after a meeting of the BJP Legislative Party here, he said a decision was taken to constitute Task Force at taluk levels.

Mr Yeddyurappa said the meeting focussed on drinking water, power position, housing and road condition. It was also decided to expedite all the development programmes announced in the budget.

Stating that the global economic recession had affected the state economy, the Chief Minister said steps were taken to curtail non-planned expenditure.

Mr Yeddyurappa had recently held a high level meeting with Department of Finance and Industry, Agriculture and Planning to assess the impact of global recession on the State economy.

Blaming the Centre for the aggrieved power crisis in the State, the Chief Minister said the State was getting 1000 mw of power from the Central Pool against the allotted 1150 mw.

Mr Yeddyrappa said a Committee would be constituted to look into the issue of Sarojini Mahishi Committee report on giving preference to Kannadigas in employment. The Committee would also be asked to look into the flow of central funds for Karnataka, he added.

The Chief Minister said he would discuss with the Opposition about steps required to pressurise the Centre on amendment of Article 371 of the Constitution to accord special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region.

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