The Hindu : Karnataka / Hassan News : Rs. 140-cr. action plan for Shravanabelagola

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Hassan

Rs. 140-cr. action plan for Shravanabelagola

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, DEC. 30. An action plan for Rs. 140 crores for taking up development works in and around Shravanabelagola in view of the Mahamastakabhishekha scheduled in February 2006 has been submitted to the Government, the Minister for Information, B. Shivaram, has said.

Speaking to presspersons here on Wednesday, he said that financial assistance was expected both from the Union and State Governments.

The action plan had been envisaged anticipating Rs. 56 crores assistance from the Union Government and Rs. 84 crores from the State Government.

The action plan is yet to receive administrative and financial approval, he added.

Delegation

A delegation from the State Government would meet the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to urge him to release a special grant.

A detailed report on the works to be taken up would also be submitted.

Mr. Shivaram said that development works including construction of additional floor over the present Yatri Nivas building, completion of gauge conversion between Hassan-Bangalore, setting up of Bhuvanahalli airstrip, and providing impetus to the tourism potential in and around Shravanabelagola would be taken up.

Infrastructure

The State Government, which had approved works to the tune of Rs. 25 crores, would improve infrastructure by spending Rs. 84 crores.

As it was imperative to complete the work before the monsoon, the Chief Minister would be urged to release the grants as soon as possible.

The Union Minister for Railways, Lalu Prasad, had also been urged to earmark more funds for the completion of gauge conversion, he added. Mr. Shivaram said that a delegation from State Government had held one round of discussion with the Ministers concerned and had got an encouraging response.

New airstrips

To a query, he said that the Civil Aviation Ministry had granted permission for setting up of new airstrips and upgrade Mangalore and Hubli airports to international standards.

This would help boost the economy in the area, he added.

Mr. Shivaram said that the Information Department would play an important role in highlighting the performance of the Government. The department's potential would be exploited in reaching the Government schemes to rural areas.

Strengthened

The department would be strengthened and restructured by retracting the services of officials, who were on deputation in other departments.

The department was preparing a programme to reach the benefits of Government schemes people in the rural areas and would be implemented shortly. The construction of Information building in Bangalore would be completed soon and Rs. 2.5 crores had been spent thus far, he added.

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Rs. 140-cr. action plan for Shravanabelagola