PM assures support in Karnataka's initiatives

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised Centre's support to Karnataka's various development initiatives.

Singh, who is in Bangalore as part of his two-day visit to the state and met Karnataka chief minister Dharam Singh and his Cabinet ministers, said all Indians should be proud that Bangalore is doing path-breaking work with its exemplary entrepreunerial spirit.

Speaking to the media after his meeting, Manmohan Singh said: "Bangalore is undoubtedly the IT capital of India and it needs infrastructure which is top of the class. The Centre will do all things necessary to ensure Bangalore gets this infrastructure which will aid the city to stride forward much more aggresively."

He added that the Centre will also fully support the rural development of state, be it in watershed management, rural credit or in giving equal opportunities to the rural population.

In his presentation to the prime minister, Dharam Singh thanked him for facilitating the clearances required for the Bangalore International Airport and promised him that it will be inaugurated in three years.

Calling for the prime minister's intervention in the Bangalore metro project, he requested the Centre's approval so that work can start from May 2005.

Dharam Singh also put forward a request for a special Government of India package for Bangalore to the tune of Rs 3,600 crore to meet the growing needs of roads, water supply, sanitation, power and infrastructure.

He also requested the prime minister's help in getting the state's Rs 23,000 crore MoU with ONGC cleared.

On the rural development front, the state government has put forward a request for Rs 3,600 crore over the next six years for watershed development in Karnataka and to make credit available to farmers at an interest rate of not more than 6 per cent.

The chief minister also called for Centre's intervention in the admission process of professional colleges by enacting a central legislation both for seat sharing and admissions.