SHARING VIEWS: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (second from right), Shimoga MLA K.S. Eshwarappa, Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra and D.H. Shankaramurthy, MLC, having a discussion at the BJP workers' meeting in Shimoga on Wednesday.

SHIMOGA: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said here on Wednesday that the Government is ready to extend assistance if the private or cooperative sectors come forward to revive the sugar factory here.

Addressing a press conference, he said he will depute an officer of the rank of the Secretary to look into the formalities to be completed to open the government medical college here from this academic year. He said he is aware of people's anguish over the delay in starting the medical college.

Water scheme

He promised that the Rs. 28-crore water supply scheme for Shimoga city will be taken up on priority. He alleged that the previous Government had made a paltry allocation of Rs. 2 crores for the scheme after a delegation was taken to Bangalore by Shimoga MLA K.S. Eshwarappa to urge the then Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh for the speedy implementation of the scheme.

He said the Government is committed to regularising bagair hukum cultivation, for which he had spearheaded several agitations when he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

Asked whether there is a proposal to extend the cut-off date of 1978 as fixed by the Supreme Court for the regularisation of bagair hukum cultivation, he said a decision to this effect will be taken after the Cabinet is formed. He, however, said the Government will order a resurvey in this regard.

Mr. Yediyurappa, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said his budget will be farmer-friendly.

Earlier, Mr. Yediyurappa was accorded a rousing reception at the railway station here this morning when he arrived on his first visit to his home district after assuming office. Addressing BJP workers, he said he will provide administration to the satisfaction of the Sangh Parivar.

CMC polls

He asked party workers to ensure that the BJP wins the elections to the Shimoga City Municipal Council.

D.H. Shankarmurthy and Ramachandre Gowda, MLCs, and K.S. Eshwarappa, Araga Jnanendra and G. Basavannappa, MLAs, were present.

BJP district unit president M.B. Bhanu Prakash presided over the function.

Mr. Yediyurappa visited Madhu Kripa, the district headquarters of the RSS, here.

He called on the relatives of VHP leader H.A. Narasimhamurthy Iyengar, who died here on Tuesday.

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