Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced a massive allocation of ₹10,000 crore for the development of rural roads across the state, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Khandre described this as the highest-ever allocation for rural road development. He said there was no shortage of funds for development works and that the amount would be utilised under the Rural Road Connectivity Scheme.The Chief Minister has also announced financial assistance ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore for every Gram Panchayat to undertake development activities and improve basic infrastructure facilities, Khandre added.
Responding to questions about drinking water shortages, the minister said the government had earlier released ₹117 crore for rural drinking water projects. Subsequently, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar sanctioned ₹1 crore for every rural Assembly constituency, taking the total available allocation for drinking water projects to ₹306 crore.
Khandre said the government had already issued a draft notification for conducting Taluk Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat elections. A proposal would soon be submitted to the State Election Commission, and the elections are expected to be held by the second week of January.Regarding whether the elections would be conducted using the new or existing electoral rolls, he said the state Cabinet would take a decision on the matter at its meeting scheduled for Today’s,
Defending the recent increase in milk prices, Khandre said rising petrol and diesel prices had pushed up the cost of essential commodities, placing dairy farmers under financial pressure.He said the state government had increased milk prices to provide financial support to dairy farmers and protect their livelihoods.
