Hubballi, March 27 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will meet Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhwat in the first week of April, to seek approvals with regard to inter-state water disputes. “We are yet to get various approvals from the Centre with regard to inter-state water disputes. I have instructed the concerned departments to make preparations for this. I am set to meet Jal Shakti MInister in the first week of April to take up the issue,” Bommai told reporters here on Sunday. There is a need to make efforts to resolve the inter-state water dispute at the earliest, Bommai said. Karnataka is once again on a development path after emerging out of the Covid-19 shadow, he said. “A strong foundation will be laid for planned development of the state,” he added. On investments, Bommai said the industrial sector will get a leg up as announced in the budget. “Identification of land and other processes are in full swing to attract investments and Northern Karnataka has been given top priority,” he said. Budget has also provided greater impetus to empowerment of women and orders have been issued for setting up of the Agricultural Secondary Directorate, Bommai said. The process of setting up Jayadeva Cardiac Hospital in Hubballi is on. The Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to identify the land for the purpose as soon as possible, CM added. Construction of Kidwai Cancer Hospital in Belagavi would be taken up along with this, he stated. “We have provided Rs 3,000 crore for the development of Kalyana Karnataka region. Work orders would be issued for all budget programmes before the end of April. Already, Rs 1400 crore have been released this year in this regard,” he said. On SSLC exams from tomorrow, Bommai said the students should write it confidently, without any worry or anxiety. All preparations have been done for the smooth conduct of SSLC exams, which are being held in the interest of students, keeping the Covid issue in mind, he added. BDN RJ