One month in office, Shettar is elated

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Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Sunday that he felt elated on completing one month in office. Mr Shettar had taken over as CM on July 12, replacing Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who was forced to quit under pressure from former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Addressing a religious programme in Ilkal town of Bagalkot district, Mr Shettar expressed his commitment to developing the region during his short stint as Chief Minister with hardy ten months left of his tenure. “I am fortunate to attend the religious function as it has reminded me of the mammoth oath taking programme on July 12. It is a matter of great pleasure to attend such a programme exactly a month after the swearing-in ceremony. I will work hard to ensure the overall development of the north Karnataka region”, he said.

The CM disclosed that a fresh plea will be submitted to the Central government to extend the special status to Bijapur district by amending Article 371 of the Constitution. While offering Bagina to Almatti reservoir which has reached its brim following heavy rains in Maharashtra, he said that a special delegation will meet the Prime Minister soon to apprise him about problems of the district. He also said that an appeal will be made to waive farmers’ loans taken from nationalised banks.

The Chief Minister gave the promise in response to the demands of several farmer leaders and organisations who contended that Bijapur district had been deprived of irrigation facilities though lakhs of people had been displaced after the construction of Almatti dam. He also declared that there is no dearth of funds to take up works under the third phase of Upper Krishna Project.

“I am aware of the problems confronting the twin districts of Bijapur and Bagalkot as I hail from this region. I will speed up various irrigation projects as I have the honour of being the son-in-law of the district”, Mr Shettar said after launching work on Mulwad lift irrigation project. Stating that short-term and long-term proposals will be prepared to tackle drought, he said that an appeal will be made to the Centre to provide Rs 11,000 crore grant. He said that the government has taken up both drought and flood relief measures on a war-footing. He also announced that directions will be issued to officials to tackle the natural calamities by touring both drought and flood prone districts.