The Hindu : Karnataka News : Comprehensive development plan for the State

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Friday, Jun 20, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Comprehensive development plan for the State

The BJP Government has envisaged a comprehensive development of the State. It has spelt out its developmental programmes seeking to transform Karnataka into a model state.

These programmes as well asinitiatives aim to address infrastructural woes, chronic scarcities of water and power, lack of employment opportunities for youth, problems related to connectivity and many other worrying issues of the State. In building a prosperous Karnataka, the Government will focus on ensuring food, health, education, housing and social justice to the 60 million people of the State.

To fulfill these basic needs, the Government has redefined poverty by recognising families as extremely poor and poor. The thrust of the government’s policies and programmes will be unhindered progress of the State in all sectors, with emphasison improving the lot of farmers by rejuvenating agriculture. Focus will be on dry-land farming, de-silting of tanks and ground water revival. The priority would also be to involve women in the decision-making process of the State and local bodies.

The priority is also to provide free education for girl students of BPL (below povertyline) families up to college level. The Government will enact a law to protect women from harassment at work place. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for women will be strengthened to promote entrepreneurship, and financial assistance will be given for building women hostels.

The stress is on infrastructure development too. The State would double power generation to 10,000 mw over the next five years to provide energy for all.Similarly, a comprehensive plan will be drawn to complete drinking water supply projects in rural and urban areas.

The Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project in north Karnataka will be completed in a time-bound manner.The irrigation potential of the state will be harnessed to increase agriculture production. Optimal utilisation of Krishna and Cauvery river waters flowing across the State will be accorded top priority.For providing road connectivity, a master plan will be prepared for road development, particularly in villages. Some of the State highways will be developed through public-private partnership.

Similarly,development and expansion of railway network, ports and airports will be taken up in consultation with the Central government.The opening of the new Bengaluru International airport represents a new beginning in Indian aviation with regard to the experience of the passenger on the ground. Bangalore, being the Silicon Valley of India and probably the most modern and multi cultural city of India, now has an airport that stands for the new modern and international India, proud of its culture and history, but part of the global economy. The new airport is located about 35 kilometers north of the city. This will allow both the city as well as the airport to develop. It is spread over an area of approximately 4000 acres and besides the regular airport services it will offer a hotel, shopping mall, food courts and other convenience amenities in the upcoming project phases.The new swanky airport that is single, fully air-conditioned, two-level building capable of accommodating 2733 international and domestic passengers at peak hour is spread over 71,000 square meters.The current airport infrastructure is designed to handle over 11million passenger movements annually. Once the final master plan has been achieved, it can accommodate upto 50 million passenger movements annually.

This has given the confidence to the Government to work on airports at other major towns of Karnataka. With a vision to promote balanced regional development across the State and to improve linkage between the State capital and other districts, the Government has decided to develop airports in major towns. Work on airports at Gulbarga, Shimoga, Hassan and Bijapur will be commenced soon to provide air connectivity. At Hubli, KIADB is acquiring about 650 acres of land for expansion and development as per the Master Plan of AAI. An amount of Rs.20 crores was sanctioned for land acquisition.

Exemption from property tax to an extent of Rs.10.33lakhs has been granted. Action is being taken to release additional funds towards acquisition cost. At Mangalore, 187 acres of land has already been handed over to AAI for expansion and development. The Government will acquire additiona l land for extension of the runway and construction of approach road. An amount of Rs.2.73 crore has been released for the same. An amount of Rs.3.78 crores has been released for the construction of new terminal, apron and taxi way. In Mysore, 175 acres of land handed over to AAI for revival and expansion. The Government will acquire additional land for shifting of National Highway.

An amount of Rs.1.43 crores has been released for providing power supply at the airport and Rs.97.00 lakhs has been released for providing water supply to Mysore airport. At Bidar, the Government has offered to provide 120 acres of land free of cost to AAI.

An amount of Rs.3.00 crores has been released towards construction of airstrip and air-terminal building. Similarly, the State has also suggested for setting up a flight corridor between Bangalore-Hubli and Hubli to Pune.

A feasibility study would be conducted regarding laying of a railway line up to Jog Falls. At present the railway line is being laid upto Talaguppe, which is about 14 kms from the Jog Falls. This step is being contemplated to boost tourism. Industrial development To revive industrial development, the Government plans to set up separate industrial zones across the State for steel, cement, food processing and IT and BT (biotechnology). The private sector will begiven incentives to set up industries in the backward areas of the State. The fruits of IT will be taken to every village by setting up cyber cafes in rural areas and providing training to villagers for accessing information pertaining to agriculture, weather, commodity prices and employment. The new government would also accord priority to housing for BPL families, welfare of minorities, backward classes, Scheduled Castesand Scheduled Tribes.

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