Karnataka to launch Rs 600 cr rural scheme

BANGALORE: World Bank funded Rs 600 crore Grama Swaraj scheme for the total development of all the villages in the 39 taluks of Karnataka identified as most backward by the Dr D M Nanjundappa panel on redressal of regional imbalances was approved by the state cabinet on Thursday.

Of the total outlay of Rs 600 crore, Karnataka will be getting a Rs 540 crore soft loan from the International Development Agency and the rest will be the contribution of the state government, according to education minister Basavaraj Horatti.

Under the scheme to be be implemented over a six-year period, roads, sanitation, drinking water and other basic civic amenities will be provided in all the villages besides education and health-care facilities, the minister said.

The other major decisions of the state cabinet, according to Horatti, are: approval of the Rs 555 crore rehabilitation and resettlement plan for 21 villages to be completely shifted under the Hipparagi barrage project in Bijapur district and another five villages, which will have to be partially shifted; state government guarantee to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation for raising a Rs 95 crore loan for purchase of 500 new buses and modernistation of the Bhadra canal under the Upper Bhadra development plan involving a total outlay of Rs 471 crore.