Title - Karntaka CM to monitor works in state

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said that he along Deputy Chief Ministers K S Eshwarappa and R Ashok will monitor development works on a regular basis.At his maiden Independence Day speech here on Wednesday, Shettar said, “Officials will review the works once a week and we will be doing it once in every 15 days. The government is committed to implement many welfare measures started by former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa and D V Sadananda Gowda.”According to him, the state is facing the worst drought in four decades. “The Centre has been approached for financial assistance of `11,489 crore for both short-term and long-term measures,” he said.On the measures taken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that farm loan up to ` 25,000 has been waived off.“It would benefit around 16 lakh farmers and cost the exchequer `3,600 crore,” he added.According to Shettar, the state government has issued Bhagyalakshmi bonds to 14.57 lakh beneficiaries at `2,217 crore. Also, `468 crore has been provided the same for this year.

Bangalore Metro 
Shettar said that the Phase-I of Bangalore Metro Rail project that is expected to ease traffic congestion on city roads will be ready by 2014. “The government has given an approval for 73-km Phase II of metro rail project at `23,405 crore. It is expected to be completed by 2018,” Shettar said.