Task force to supervise projects in Bangalore

Task force to supervise projects in Bangalore

The Hindu

Give me three months to improve the situation: Kumaraswamy

# The task force will monitor the implementation of all projects
# It will include representatives of IT firms and various agencies
# Kumaraswamy will meet the Prime Minister on Tuesday to seek funds
# A high-level meeting with captains of industry will be held on Wednesday

Bangalore: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has assured Bangaloreans, including captains of industry, that the Government, whether or not it receives support from the Centre, is committed to improving infrastructure in the city. A special task force will be constituted to achieve the objective, and it will be empowered to monitor the implementation of all projects, he has said.

Speaking to The Hindu here, he said: "Give me three months and I will bring about a qualitative change in infrastructure. I am fully aware of the problems Bangaloreans are facing, and I will do my best to solve them. To begin with, roads will be attended to and traffic congestion eased."

The Chief Minister said the special task force, which will be constituted shortly, will comprise retired government officials who held senior positions and were known for their integrity and ability, besides representatives of various agencies and those of information technology and biotechnology companies and other industries. Mr. Kumaraswamy said he was upset that major industries, such as Siemens and SemIndia, were hesitating to initiate projects in Bangalore.

He said a high-level meeting will be held at the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday to seek the advice of captains of industry. It will be an interaction between the Government — which will be represented by top officials led by the Chief Secretary, among others — and the industry. A firm commitment will be given to <129>industry and the people. ," he said.

About the availability of funds, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he will revive an earlier scheme to regularise buildings <129>constructed on revenue sites, and set a deadline for its completion.

When H.D. Deve Gowda was Chief Minister (1994-96), he introduced a regularisation scheme under which unauthorised structures were regularised on payment of betterment fee and development charges. The scheme, which will benefit the low-income group, was shelved, he added. Mr. Kumarswamy said the scheme, which will be revived, will help mobilise Rs. 1,000 crores for infrastructure in Bangalore.

He said he will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday and submit a memorandum seeking special assistance for the development of Bangalore.