Yogesh K Porwar
*Government resolves to provide water by 2027.
*Kolar farmers are a model for the State.
*Hundi thieves must be punished appropriately.
*Unity is our strength;every MLA in the district is a Chief Minister and Minister: CM.
Malur (Kolar):The Congress government has resolved to provide Yettinahole water to Kolar and Chikkaballapur by the end of 2027,Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar said on Monday.
Speaking at the inauguration of various departmental development projects in Malur taluk,Kolar district,the Chief Minister said the government had added water security as its seventh guarantee,along with the five guarantee schemes and the sixth guarantee of land rights.
“The JD(S) State President may joke that the Yettinahole project is not possible.Nothing worthwhile comes easily. This project is difficult,but should we not make an effort?.
We are committed to bringing water from the Western Ghats through Hassan to Kolar and Chikkaballapur,”he said.
He said efforts had already been made to bring water up to Tumakuru and that 104 lakes had been filled through the KC Valley project,while work was under way to fill another 65 lakes through the HN Valley project.
“We have decided to fill more than 700 lakes with treated water. Our objective is to recharge groundwater, fill lakes and ensure that water reaches farmers.
On August 15, we will announce details of the projects launched by our government.Water is a source of peace and life; there can be no life without water.We have formulated several programmes to address the water shortage in Kolar and Chikkaballapur,”he said.
“Power is not a symbol of authority;it is a symbol of responsibility.We do not consider power a throne but an opportunity to serve the people.You can put a price on an idol,but you cannot put a price on God.
In a democracy, the people are God.You have blessed us and given us the opportunity to serve you,and I thank you for it,”the Chief Minister said.
Nanjegowda is a model MLA:
Describing Malur MLA K.Y.Nanjegowda as a model MLA, Shivakumar recalled his contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When farmers had no market for their produce during COVID-19,vegetables were purchased here and distributed free of cost to people in Bengaluru.
Nanjegowda made a promise to you,and it is important to keep one’s promise.He has fulfilled his promise, and this programme is an example of that.He has created a lasting legacy through the projects he has undertaken,” he said.
“Let the Opposition criticise us.If they point out our mistakes, we will correct them.But over the last three years, the criticism of the Opposition has faded while our achievements will remain,”he added.
Kolar farmers are a model for the State:
The Chief Minister praised the farmers of Kolar district for their resilience.
“The people of Karnataka should remember the farmers of this district.Even when the groundwater level fell to 2,000 feet,they did not lose hope or resort to extreme steps. Instead, they produced milk,vegetables,silk and flowers and supplied them to Bengaluru.They demonstrated their self-respect and determination,”he said.
“Progress cannot be achieved without struggle.Change creates opportunities.We must fight against what is wrong in order to preserve what is good.A government committed to wiping the tears of farmers stands before you.Agriculture is your culture and farmers are our wealth,”Shivakumar said.
Guarantees have changed people’s lives:
“Just as a lotus is beautiful when it blooms in a lake,the hand that provides is beautiful when it is in power.These hands have come to power and have implemented five guarantee schemes that have changed people’s lives,”he said.
He said 1.64 crore households had benefited from Gruha Jyothi,while Rs.2,000 a month was being provided to 1.20 crore women heads of families under Gruha Lakshmi.
Women had been provided free bus travel under the Shakti scheme,10 kg of rice had been provided to poor families and unemployment assistance had been extended to unemployed youth.
“Our guarantee schemes have become a model for the country.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our BJP friends criticised these schemes, but we have allocated ₹52,000 crore every year for their implementation,” he said.
He said the government had also introduced a sixth guarantee relating to land rights and correction of property records,title deeds and related documents.
“Leadership is achieved through action.Power is meaningful only when it is people-oriented.Power is temporary, but achievements remain.We consider the voters our God.
In Bengaluru, we are taking property-related services for 25 lakh properties to people’s doorsteps.The Central Government has recognised and awarded this initiative,” he said.
Protect your right to vote:
Referring to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls,Shivakumar urged people to ensure that their names remained on the voters’ list.
“Mine is not a new government.It is a continuation of the government led by Siddaramaiah over the last three years. SIR is being conducted in the State.
If you do not protect your right to vote,you may be deprived of many schemes and benefits.Your vote is your right.Protect your right,”he said.
He said the government was ready to facilitate the provision of caste and residence certificates and would coordinate with the Election Commission in this regard.
Hundi thieves must be punished:
Referring to the security of temple hundis, Shivakumar said the government had taken steps to protect devotees’ offerings.
“Vote theft has taken place in this country, and hundi theft is also taking place. People donated to temples with faith, but their offerings were stolen.
Therefore, our government has installed CCTV cameras in major temples to protect hundis and devotees’ donations and connected the surveillance system to police stations,”he said.
“The people should raise their voice against such acts. Those who tamper with temple hundis must be given appropriate punishment,” he said.
Several initiatives for youth:
The Chief Minister said the government had initiated the formation of Bharat Jodo Yuva Shakti Sanghas at the panchayat and ward levels to promote cultural activities, sports,secular values and leadership qualities among youth.
“Youth between 16 and 40 years of age can become members. An allocation of ₹10 lakh per year has been made for each association,with a total allocation of ₹1,000 crore,”he said.
He said guarantee committees had been formed at the panchayat level to connect beneficiaries with government schemes.
Representation would be provided to backward classes, minorities, Scheduled Castes and women in the six-member committees.
“The government is also moving towards establishing job exchange centres to connect youth with employment opportunities in private companies.
Necessary training will be provided to help young people secure jobs. We are taking steps to fill 72,000 government posts,”Shivakumar said.
He added that the achievements of the government were not limited to himself and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,but also reflected the work of ministers who had brought about significant changes in their respective departments.
Every MLA is a Chief Minister and Minister:
Shivakumar said all MLAs from Kolar district were pillars of the government and stressed the importance of unity.
“There is strength in unity. It is not possible to give ministerial positions to every MLA from the district.
But every MLA here is a Chief Minister and a Minister in terms of responsibility.I will work to empower them. That is my duty,” he said.
He announced that the government would take administration to people’s doorsteps and that district ministers would receive public grievances every 15 days in every taluk.MLAs would also visit gram panchayats to hear people’s problems.
“For this purpose,we are starting the Praja Seve department,”he said.
Government Medical College for Kolar:
Shivakumar said a Government Medical College for Kolar had been announced in the State Budget and that preparations were under way to allocate 60 acres of land to officer Kolar APMC.
“If you die without achievement,it is a disgrace to death; if you live without ideals, it is a disgrace to life.
Nanjegowda has demonstrated both achievement and service.Dr.B.R.Ambedkar said that those who forget history cannot create history.
This programme will go down in history.Your expectations will not be disappointed. May you continue to bless us,”he said.
