The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Outlay for rural development raised

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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Outlay for rural development raised

Special Correspondent

It has been increased to Rs. 3,359 crore from Rs. 3,064 crore

No new project announced in the sector
Officers to be appointed in gram panchayats for effective implementation of NREGS

BANGALORE: Although the State Government has accorded priority to rural development by increasing the total outlay to the sector by Rs. 295 crore, the Budget proposals have no reference to any new major projects in the all-important sector.

According to the Budget proposals (2008-09), the total outlay for rural development been has increased to Rs. 3,359 crore as against Rs. 3,064 crore during the previous fiscal.

Besides, the State Government would contribute its share of 10 per cent for taking up projects estimated at Rs. 1,100 crore under the Centrally-sponsored National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

The Government would soon appoint development officers in each gram panchayat to effectively implement NREGS programmes in agriculture, horticulture, minor irrigation, watershed development and afforestation.

A chunk of the earmarked funds would be spent on drinking water supply schemes (Rs. 879 crore) and development of roads (Rs. 685) in rural areas across the State. Besides taking up multi-village drinking water schemes, the Government has plans to supply drinking water from irrigation reservoirs to villages and towns on a pilot basis.

The only new project in the rural development sector as announced in the Budget is “Mahatma Gandhi Govu Aadharitha Gram Udyoga,” aimed at increasing the income level of the rural masses dependent on cattle-rearing for livelihood.

The project aims at ensuring remunerative prices for cow dung and urine, by ensuring better utilisation of dung and cow urine.

The new project would be taken up on an experimental basis in Shimoga and Mysore districts.

On the other hand, starting this year, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department would accord priority to human resource development in naxalite-affected areas by taking up training and employment generation activities for the rural youth.

The department has already started infrastructure development programmes in these areas.

ATS for Bangalore

The long-pending proposal for establishing a full-fledged anti-terrorist squad (ATS) in Bangalore is now going to be a reality as Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has announced that a “well-equipped ATS” would be set up in the city.

The Government has earmarked Rs. 97 crore for modernisation of the police force, Rs. 6 crore for computerisation and maintenance of the Police Department and Rs. 2 crore for security of costal areas.

The Government plans to spend Rs. 45 crore on construction of houses for police personnel, an additional Rs. 10 crore for repairing the existing quarters and Rs. 35 crore for constructing fire stations and houses for the staff.

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