Bengaluru, Jun 26: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to ensure the development of Tumakuru, Ballari, Vijayanagar, and Chitradurga as model districts. Siddaramaiah, who held a review meeting of the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) in Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday, said the State Government has allocated Rs 24,996.30 crore funds for the Comprehensive Environment Plan for Mining Impact Zone (CEPMIZ) in the four districts, which must be utilized.
The Chief Minister stated that the high-level monitoring authority, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudarsharshan Reddy, has already approved 358 works costing Rs 7,928.78 crore and asked the KMERC officials to ensure that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these works are completed within a week. He reprimanded officials for delays in completing the DPRs and emphasized that further delays will not be tolerated. Siddaramaiah urged that all departmental works in the four districts must be expedited.
Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary L K Atiq, Secretary K C Trilokchandra, and other officials attended the meeting.
Kannada Actor Aniruddh Requests Tunga River Clean-Up
Earlier, Kannada cinema actor Aniruddh called on the Chief Minister and requested urgent steps for the clean-up of the Tunga River. After meeting the actor, the Chief Minister telephoned Neeravari Nigam Managing Director Rajesh and directed that urgent steps be taken to clean the Tunga River.
Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) President and Directors also called on the Chief Minister to discuss the problems faced by horticultural producers.
