Yogesh K Porwar & Siddarath Sethia
T
he State government has sanctioned Rs 960 crore to various taluks of Belagavi district for drinking water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission Mission,said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking after inaugurating ‘Kittur Rani Chennamma Utsav’ on Monday, he said Rs 580 crore has been sanctioned for Kittur Lift Irrigation scheme. Out of Rs.9000 crore given to Karnataka under Jal Jeevan Mission to provide drinking water for 25 lakh houses.
Rs.115 crore to build Chennamma’s Palace*
The CM said his predecessor,B.S.Yediyurappa had sanctioned a grant of Rs.50 crore for the construction of Chennamma’s palace and the incumbent government had given approval for Rs.115 crore.
A palace will be constructed adjacent to the existing fort and the government will bear the expenses towards acquisition of land required for this purpose.
Besides,Rs.27 crore has been given towards the development of the original palace of Rani Chennamma.
Township on 1,000 acres near Kittur:
Bommai said it has been decided to create an industrial township on 1,000 acres of land near Kittur and it will provide employment to 50,000 youths.
The Government of India has given approval for Dharwad-Belgaum railway line and the Planning Commission is likely to give its approval soon.
The government is committed to all-round development of Kittur Karnataka.A textile park in Haveri and FMCG Park in Dharwad are planned.
Apart from this, Rs 5,000 crore worth irrigation projects have been taken up in this region.
Upper Krishna Project to start soon:
He said the Upper Krishna Project schemes are in court and once the matter is solved the third stage projects will be taken up.
The Kalasa-Banduri project is in its final stages and the works will start after getting approval. The foundation stone to install the statues of Rani Chennamma,Sangolli Rayanna and Dr.B.R.Ambedkar in front of Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi will be laid next month.
Under Chennamma Authority, the Belavadi Mallamma area will also be developed.
Chennamma,first woman to rebel against Britishers:
He said October 21,1824 is a most memorable day in Indian history as it was on that day Rani Chennamma became the first woman to raise her voice against Britishers.
Till then no one had the guts to fight against the British rulers.Many historians have recorded Jhansi Lakshmibai as the first woman freedom fighter but time has come to tell the world that Rani Chennamma of Kittur was the first woman to take on the mighty British empire, and that work is being done by the State government.
Rani Chennamma fough with self-respect that none will become the slaves and she was supposed by other brave people like Sangolli Rayanna and Amatur Balappa.
She became victorious in the first war against the British and in the memory of that, the government has been holding Utsav every year.
However, in the second war, the cow dung was mixed in the ammunition and to hurt the self-confidence of Chennamma they spread canard that the brave warriors had been arrested.
But as she learns that Sangolli Rayanna had been arrested, she just collapses.The government will salute this great lady warrior who united all the people to fight against the British empire by igniting the spirit of freedom.
The CM said the strength of Chennamma is an inspiration for everyone till this day.Need of the hour is to build the nation by getting inspiration from her.
Whatever may be the problems, they must face it boldly and involve themselves in national building work.
All those who are born here are brave and they must strive hard to lead a life with self-respect and to become self-reliant.They must respect the working classes and literate students.
Empowerment comes from education.
Many forces are trying to break the country’s unity but India has Narendra Modi,a real patriot. India is the safest place and making rapid progress socially and economically.
Bommai said the Kittur Utsav was started by former CM S.Bangarappa and some scared him that he would lose the CM post in case he took part in Kittur Utsav.
“I don’t know what kind of blind belief is this? I came to this sacred land of Rani Chennamma and not bothered even if the CM post is lost.
With the blessings of Chennamma,the CM post is quite strong.My government’s endeavor is that the ‘Kittur Jyoti’ must shine continuously and this land must progress”.
