The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Chief Minister lauds steps to promote brand Bangalore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 16, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Chief Minister lauds steps to promote brand Bangalore

Special Correspondent

Target set to generate 5,500 MW power
Steps taken to fight terrorism in State

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that he is satisfied with the steps taken by the coalition Government to protect the “brand name” of Bangalore at the global level.

In his Independence Day address at the Manekshaw Ground here, Mr. Kumaraswamy highlighted the work taken up by the Government in the last 18 months. Work on the Metro Rail had been started, the Bangalore Master Plan unveiled and work on the Bangalore International Airport project was progressing according to schedule, he said.

The Government proposed to develop six layouts in and around Bangalore and 16,000 acres would be acquired for this. The land owners would be involved in developing the layouts. The Bangalore Development Authority, which would develop the layouts, would return 40 per cent of the acquired land to the land owners, the Chief Minister said.

Commending the work of the State Joint Legislature Committee on encroachment of government land in and around Bangalore, the Chief Minister said that 18,447 acres of land had been encroached upon by the land mafia. Of this, 8,334 acres had been recovered and criminal cases registered against 486 persons in 595 cases. Steps had been taken to recover encroached government land in other parts of the State as well, he said. The Government had recently formulated a policy for taking up infrastructure and airport projects in second-tier cities on private-public partnerships. A target had been set to generate 5,500 MW power and private parties would set up plants to generate 3,000 MW, he said.

As many as 65 mega industrial projects involving an investment of Rs. 90,255 crore had been cleared. This was expected to provide 7.32 lakh jobs. As many as 881 medium projects, involving an investment of Rs. 11,954 crore, had been cleared and they would generate 15 lakh jobs, Mr. Kumararaswamy said.

Referring to the recent rain havoc in districts, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to release Rs. 500 crore immediately for taking up relief work in flood-affected villages.

The foundation stone laying programme for the Vidhana Soudha building in Belgaum had been delayed, he said. The Chief Minister said he would visit Belgaum soon and try to solve the problems faced in constructing the building, he said.

The Government had geared up to check terrorism in the State. Steps had been taken to boost the morale of the police. The long-pending “Golden Chariot” rail facility would be made available to tourists in November, the Chief Minister said.

In his 40-minute address, Mr. Kumaraswamy quoted from the works of Kannada writers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka