Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Thursday that he would take his cabinet colleagues and legislators into confidence to provide honest, transparent and corruption-free government with primary focus on tackling the drought.
Speaking to media persons after being sworn-in as the 21st Chief Minister, he said “I hope to continue the good work done by former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, and all developmental initiatives including implementation of Sakala initiated by my predecessor D.V. Sadananda Gowda.
We are facing many challenges, but the first priority of our government is to tackle the severe drought plaguing the state, particularly in rural areas which are deprived of drinking water. I hope to run the government efficiently with co-operation from my cabinet colleagues, MLAs and also Opposition leaders. I hope to bring in development, which h can eliminate the regional imbalances. No district and region should feel neglected. I want to see Karnataka as the number one state in terms of development. We are already at the top in implementation of e-governance, and implementation of MGNREGS, and empowerment of panchayat raj.”
Allaying fears that political instability would affect investments, Mr Shettar said, “I will ensure that necessary action is taken to implement MoUs signed during the Global Investors’ Meet held in June this year.” Mr Shettar was flanked by deputy chief ministers K.S.Eshwarappa and R Ashoka and other senior ministers at his first interaction with the media in Vidhana Soudha.