CM Announces Rs. 850-Cr Special Package for Bellary.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced a Rs. 850-crore special package for Bellary to take up various development works. He told reporters here that Rs. 110 crore has been set aside for the construction of houses for the poor. Around 5,500 houses will be constructed in three years, he added. On construction of the new airport in Bellary, he said the land cannot be returned to the farmers as it was acquired by the government. He said he was unaware of the district administration's proposal to construct a jail on the land instead of the airport. A decision will be taken after the completion of the land survey, he added. Donor Locks School Gani Saheb, who donated six acres for the construction of Morarji Desai school, locked up the school recently opposing the decision of the officials to invite Siddaramaiah for the inauguration. Saheb donated the land in Kudligi taluk to build the school on the request of MLA Nagendra. He said he made the donation because of his respect for the MLA and he wants Nagendra to inaugurate the school. "The officials want Siddaramaiah to inaugurate it although they made an initial promise that Nagendra would do so," he added. Though the building was completed a year ago and classes had started, an official inauguration never took place as Nagendra landed up behind bars.