Bangalore, Aug 15 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda Monday listed the achievements of the B.S. Yeddyurappa government and declared that his priority would be to fully implement the plan and programmes already announced by his predecessor instead of making new announcements.


"My priority is to fully implement the plan and programmes already announced (by the previous government headed by Yeddyurappa) instead of making new announcements, as it had the distinction of achieving several firsts in the country," Gowda said in his Independence Day speech here.

Gowda became the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) second chief minister in the state Aug 4 after scam-hit Yeddyurappa resigned July 31 following his indictment by the state Lokayukta (ombudsman) in a multi-crore mining scam.

Though Gowda was declared elected leader of the BJP legislature party Aug 3 through a secret ballot by the lawmakers, Yeddyurappa had proposed his name as his successor even before he submitted his resignation to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj.

Listing out achievements of the Yeddyurappa government, Gowda said presenting the first-ever separate agriculture budget, providing farm credit at one percent interest rate, Rs.2 per litre of milk incentive to 600,000 producers and subsidy of Rs.10,000 each to one million farmers, setting record food production of 13 million tonnes and creating irrigation potential in 350,000 acres were some of the accomplishments over the last three years since the BJP came to power in the state for the first time.

"The prudent financial management of our (BJP) government has received appreciation from all quarters. The Planning Commission, the Reserve Bank of India and the 13th Finance Commission commended our efforts in resource mobilization, fiscal management and increasing plan expenditure," Gowda said in his 30-minute address at the Field Marshal Manekshaw parade ground in the city centre.

Asserting that his government was committed to providing food, health, education, housing and social justice to empower the people, the chief minister said he would strive to improve infrastructure facilities in rural and urban areas and increase employment potential for youth.

"On this momentous occasion, I assure the people of the state that my government would take every action to ensure progress of all the sections of society by taking all the concerned into confidence. We will also continue to have friendly relations with the central government," Gowda noted.

Noting that administrative machinery had to function more effectively, Gowda said files should be cleared within 15 days and ministers and officials should have a clear understanding for proper coordination and functioning of the government.

Earlier, Gowda unfurled the tri-colour and received the guard of honour at the venue under tight security amid cheers by about 8,000 people, including hundreds of youth participating in the historic event sporting colourful dress, waving the national flag and singing in unison patriotic songs such as "Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara".

In cities, towns and 29 district headquarters across the state, gaiety and patriotic fervour marked the 65th I-Day with the hoisting of the national flag, rendering of national anthem and impressive march past by the central and state forces, cultural songs, folk dances and street plays enacting the 90-year-old freedom struggle for achieving independence in 1947.

Stunning acrobatics and breath-taking formations by about 100 soldiers of the Indian army's Tornadoes team on motorcycles in the city's parade ground was the star attraction during the fete.