Krishna promises Silicon Valley facelift

Krishna said Bangalore is one of the 10 developing cities in the world as quoted by a reputed international magazine and efforts should be made to preserve this position. While the Government will spend Rs 2,000 crore, it has already approached HUDCO for financial assistance.

8220;Fly-overs should be constructed to ease traffic congestions. Within two years, the city has to get a facelift and has to change to retain the status as the IT capital of the country,8221; he said. Debunking the claim of a flight in capital to other destinations, Krishna said suchstatements were made as part of a campaign to malign the State. 8220;All such statements about flight of capital are false. We should, however, realise that it is imperative to improve infrastructure,8221; he said.

The Chief Minister also warned employees of the Bangalore City Corporation BCC against complacency and said that severe action would be taken against non-performing staffers. 8220;All vested interests will be thrown out with their roots. Officials including engineers who have occupied the same seat for various reasons will be shifted. Realising the need for a change in administration, I have also appointed a new Commissioner,8221; he said. Krishna said the State government will also prepare an agenda exclusively for the city called as 8220;Bangalore8217;s agenda8221; and funding agencies will be approached for assistance to implement infrastructural projects.

Announcing a Task Force each for water supply and sanitation, health, education and Bangalore metropolitan areas, the Chief Minister said private sectorparticipation in the implementation of developmental projects should be encouraged. While the Chief Minister himself will head the Task Force for water supply and sanitation, Infosys Managing Director Nandan Nilakeni will head the task force for Bangalore Metropolitan. Dr Sudarshan, who has served in tribal areas, will head the Task Force on health services in urban and rural areas and Jnanapith awardee Girish Karnad will head the Task Force on education.

The Chief Minister also announced a 20 per cent increase in the allotment of sites to economically weaker sections. According to rules, 30 per cent of the sites have to be distributed to the economically weaker sections. He said he had also asked the BDA to distribute 10,000 sites by June 2,000 of which 5,000 sites will go to the economically weaker sections.