Fruitful session, many projects got nod: Bommai

A traditional welcome was given to KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar when he arrived at Bhagandeshwara Temple in Kodagu on Friday.

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Belagavi: The Belagavi session of the state legislature has proved fruitful for the development of northern Karnataka as many projects were approved for the development of the region, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Speaking to media persons at Suvarna Soudha after the conclusion of the ten-day session on Friday, he said the session came up with solutions for many complex problems of the region. Approvals were given for a slew of railway projects for northern Karnataka, the financial rejuvenation of HESCOM, the clearance of the Sasalatti and Manturu irrigation projects and the Lift irrigation project in Sedam.

Recruitment of teachers for Kalyana Karnataka region, grant of Rs500cr in the supplementary estimates for the region, taking up new infrastructure projects in Belagavi and holding joint session of the state legislature in January are among the prominent decisions the state cabinet took, Bommai said.

The session witnessed an elaborate discussion on the recent floods and crop losses. Crop loss compensation was paid within 48 hours after the details were uploaded in the app. About Rs700 cr was disbursed within a month benefiting over 14 lakh farmers, he said.

“We have proved ourselves to be a farmer-friendly government by almost doubting the crop loss compensation despite financial constraints amid the Covid crisis. The compensation for crop loss in dryland farming has been raised from Rs 6800 per hectare to Rs 13,600, and for irrigated land, it has been increased from Rs13,500 to Rs 25,000. For horticulture crops it has been raised to Rs 28,000 from Rs18,000. It is a historic decision,” the CM said.

Anti-Conversion Bill

Referring to the Anti-Conversion Bill which was passed by the legislative assembly, he said the Congress opposition to the bill exposed its dual policy. When asked about the bill not getting passed in the Legislative Council, he said, “we would not like to force the bill through. The bill will be taken up in the next session after taking all members into confidence.” Reacting to Congress’ comments that the session was convened only to push through a few bills, the Chief Minister said, the opposition parties had enough time to take up pro-people issues. But their objective was confined to holding dharnas in the house.