Revenue Minister and Dharwad in-charge R.V. Deshpande has said that innumerable steps had been for the development of north Karnataka during the Congress rule when compared to the measures during BJP regime.
Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Deshpande took a dig at those demanding statehood and said that already several initiatives had been taken to address the issues of the northern districts. The Minister referred to the move to accord special status to Hyderabad Karnataka under Article 371(j) of the Indian Constitution. “Under the Congress, many steps have been taken to improve social, educational, irrigation and industrial infrastructure across the region,” he said.
However, Mr. Deshpande said that lot more was needed for improvement and and it only could happen with the cooperation of the people and elected representatives from the region.
The Minister also stressed the need to ensure optimal utilisation of resources allocated for development projects.
Mentioning that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had already chalked out an action plan to address backwardness, Mr. Deshpande said that leaders from his party would discuss with him on the issue so that noticeable changes were seen in the coming years.
Regarding the delay in giving approval for the project to improve bulk water supply to Hubballi Dharwad by drawing water from Malaprabha Reservoir at Savadatti in Belagavi district to Neerasagar reservoir in Hubblali, the Minister said he would take up the issue with the officials concerned and get it sanctioned soon.
On the issue of pending dues to the tune of ₹115 crore pertaining to the pension of employees of Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation, the Minister, however, expressed ignorance.
The Minister said the Indira Canteens in twin cities would be opened soon.