Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expressed displeasure over the slow progress in the developmental works taken up by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in the city.
The chief minister, during the city rounds, visited Church Street to inspect the progress of the work. “I want the authorities concerned to ensure the work on the Church Street to be completed by November 1. I am not happy with the work that is progressing at a snail’s pace,’’ the chief minister said.
At this juncture, the BBMP engineers tried to explain the reasons for the delay in completing the work but the chief minister did not allow them to give reasons. “I want you to complete the work at any cost by November 1,’’ the chief minister told the BBMP engineers.
Later he visited Cauvery Emporium and released Rajgandh incense sticks. He had a talk with women labourers from Raichur. He enquired them whether they are receiving the benefits of government welfare schemes, especially Anna Bhagya. “What is your native? How much wages are you receiving? The rice supplied through Anna Bhagya scheme are sufficient for you?’’ the chief minister asked her.
After listening all queries from the chief minister, the woman replied that rice being supplied through Anna Bhagya scheme are not sufficient.
The next destination was the lake at Mestri Palya being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore. He laid the foundation stone for 622 houses to be constructed at Rajendranagar slum. Later, he addressed the public.
Engineer suspended
The chief minister ordered the suspension of Venkatesh, an engineer of the BBMP for not taking measures to prevent illegal constructions at HSR Layout. He ordered for the suspension of the BBMP engineer while inspecting the development works at Swabhimani Park. Congress MLC V.S. Ugrappa complained to the chief minister against the BBMP engineer for dereliction of duty. The Swabhimani Park that spreads over 11 acres and 38 guntas is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. The chief minister directed the officials to complete the development works within two months.
People will not forget Cong govt
Criticising Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for making baseless allegations against the government, the chief minister said the people of Karnataka would not forget Congress government which provided them water, food and shelter.
“They may forget the BJP leaders who went to prison on corruption charges but not Congress leaders who worked for their welfare,’’ he said while laying the foundation stone for the construction of 622 houses for Rajendranagar slum-dwellers.
Appealing people not to forget the welfare schemes launched by the state government, he said the government has been supplying seven kgs of rice for each of the family members, and milk and eggs to school children free of cost. “The objective is to make Karnataka free from hunger,’’ he said.
The chief minister said the government would bear the cost of (Rs. 4.50 lakh) for the construction of each house and the beneficiary has to bear the remaining cost (Rs. 50,000) but Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy wanted the BBMP to bear the remaining cost.
“The BBMP has reserved Rs 700 crore to Rs 800 crore for the welfare of SC and ST people. The money will be used for the benefit of poor and needy people in society,’’ he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy said Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had fulfilled 152 of 165 promises made in the Congress manifesto.
“The BBMP has taken measures to provide drinking water here. Title deeds will be distributed to the beneficiaries who construct houses on government land,’’ the minister said.
