Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa inspecting development work at his hometown Shikaripur in Shimoga on Monday.

SHIMOGA: Out of 220 flood-affected villages in north Karnataka, the state government will construct houses and develop infrastructure in 150 villages from next month, said Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.

He told reporters here on Monday that various organisations, mutts and religious institutions had come forward to construct houses and the foundation stone-laying functions would be held shortly.

‘‘On October 30, the Seva Bharati will lay the foundation for constructing 2,000 houses in Bijapur district, Adichunchanagiri Mutt for 5,000 houses at Gadag in November 1, Dalmia Cements in Belgaum, Jindal Company in Koppal and Ramakrishna Ashram in Raichur districts. These works will be taken up in phased manner. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP leader LK Advani, former president APJ Abdul Kalam and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda will be invited for laying the foundation for the historical event of shifting 220 villages, the first of its kind in the country,’’ he said.

North Karnataka suffered huge losses, more than what was estimated earlier and the Central team was convinced of the state government’s demand. The team members who visited the flood-affected districts had assured of submitting factual reports. The state government had also asked them to relax the CRF guidelines to give compensation, he added.

He said that he was satisfied with the way the Centre had responded to the state government’s demands. The Prime Minister had expressed his anguish and said that he should have come for a survey. The Centre would release Rs 1,000 crore within a couple of days, he hoped.

He had also held discussions with the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister regarding flood relief, and if necessary, he would meet the PM again, he said. The state had suffered a loss of around Rs 19,000 crore and in another one month he would not do anything except relief works as it was the top priority of his government, he added.

The state government was not waiting for the Centre’s funds. It had already released Rs 1,100 crore. ‘‘Rs 700-800 crore was spent on giving compensation for houses. New townships would be constructed as a model in the country and the process of acquiring over 7,000 acres has started,’’ he said

‘I DON’T INTERFERE IN OTHER DEPTS’

On the allegations of some ministers that he was interfering in the affairs of other departments and ignoring them while taking decisions pertaining to their departments, Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said: “There is no question of interfering in other departments because I am the Chief Minister. Any decision is taken after discussing with other ministers.

In some cases it is misunderstood.” “I am afraid of saying anything in public now. I have to be diplomatic as I am in such a position,’’ he added.

‘MANY CONTENDERS FOR TOP POST’

On contenders for the BJP state president’s post, the CM said there were many aspirants. It is not a matter of public debate as it was the internal aspect of the party. National and state presidents of the BJP, along with senior leaders will take a final decision, he added.

LACK OF INFORMATION

On former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s outburst against the BBMP tender for Rs 3,000 crore, the CM said that the Palike had prepared the action plan for three years and called for the tender. He might have been misguided regarding the issue and the departments concerned would clarify his doubts on the tender process, he said.

SOUTHERN STATES CMs’ MEET

‘’I will take the initiative in calling a meeting of CMs of southern states in Bangalore shortly to find amicable solutions to various inter-state disputes on borders and water. I have already taken the initiative with Tamil Nadu on the language problem,” he added.