Karnataka is eyeing Rs 3,000 crore worth of works out of the proposed outlay of Rs 39,100 crore for rural employment scheme NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) by the Centre, and plans to take up development of lakes and horticulture farms under the provision, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said here today.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with officials to review development programmes, he said, areas around as many as 3,384 lakes in the state coming under the minor irrigation department have been encroached. Under NREGA, encroached lands would be cleared and developed. Out of the 400 government horticulture farms in the state, only 150 were in a good condition. Development of the remaining farms would be taken up, he said. Karnataka had been allocated 35 per cent more funds in the Union budget compared to the previous fiscal, Yeddyurappa added.