The government of India has sanctioned an additional Rs. 1,000 crore for development of rural roads in Karnataka under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Scheme, considering the pace at which the scheme is being implemented in the State.
Revealing this at a function in Nanjangud taluk of Mysore district, district in-charge minister Shoba Karandlaje said Mysore district would get Rs 60 crore out of this fund.
Laying foundation stone for drinking water supply to 66 villages from the river Kabini at a cost of Rs 18.75 crore, the state and centre sharing the cost equally, at Dodda Kavalande, she lamented that the condition of rural roads were very bad in Mysore district. In order to take up their improvement, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, which she holds, has sanctioned Rs 20 crore as grant.
After cancelling piece-meal tender, the Mysore Zilla Panchayat had completed the tender process and the road works would commence soon.
Plans were being drafted to improve roads in the State on which over 10,000 vehicles operate. The work would be taken up under private-public participation, she said.
Many out of 56,000 inhabited villages in the State do not have access to potable drinking water. Drinking water available in 14,500 villages is flouride affected. Inspite of having rivers in the State, the shortage of drinking water remains acute. Borewells have become temporary facility, as fall in their levels and consequent fluoride is causing diseases. Realising this, the chief minister had chalked out a comprehensive drinking water scheme, Shoba said.
Under the employment guarantee scheme, the workload for an individual has been reduced from two to one cubic meter, she added.
Former deputy chief minister and sitting MLA Siddaramaiah wanted the Kabini 2nd Stage to be taken up to ease the drinking water situation in the region. He also demanded for the completion of lift irrigation schemes.
Siddaramaiah called upon the officials to complete the projects, like drinking water, road improvement and irrigations, in time and effectively. He also urged for restoration of 20 kg rice supply to cardholders as was being done earlier on individual basis.
