K'taka seeks Rs 5,000 cr for infrastructure

Yeddyurappa, who holds the Bangalore city development portfolio, met Union finance minister P Chidambaram during the latter's visit to the city and presented a representation seeking financial assistance for Bangalore, which has turned out to be a global investment hub.

Improving city's infrastructure is of paramount importance for the country's economy, Yeddyurappa said while pointing out the financial requirement for giving a facelift to the city is estimated to be over Rs 25,000 crore in the next seven years. "We expect the Centre to release Rs 1,000 crore immediately," he said and added that the state government would constitute a separate cell to devise strategies for city's development.

Chidambaram, however, remained non-committal. Official sources said he advised Yeddyurappa to come to New Delhi for a discussion. Yeddyurappa's desperation to rid Bangalore of its infrastructure and civic problems comes ahead of the BBMP elections, dates for which are likely to be finalised shortly.

The BBMP, at present, has no elected body and the day-to-day affairs are being run by bureaucrats. This apart, Yeddyurappa also urged Chidambaram to reimburse Rs 1,750 crore spent by the state government on waiver of farm loans. With regard to mining, he requested Chidambaram to increase royalty on iron-ore.

Later in the day, Yeddyurappa interacted with the secretaries of various government departments and directed them to implement programmes announced by the BJP in its election manifesto. He set a 100-day deadline for commencement of various populist programmes including the Bhagyalakshmi scheme and distribution of bicycles to school students.

Sandhya Suraksha pension scheme for the elderly, reduction interest on farm loans to three per cent and action against bootleggers. "I want results, I do not want excuses," Yeddyurappa told the officials.