Addressing a press conference on completion of two years in office of his ministry, Patel said that more than 360mw power would be added to the state grid this fiscal. The government is also planning to invest in the state to generate additional 1,000mw power next year.

Refusing to divulge details of the proposed reshuffling of the state ministry, he said he would restructure his cabinet after June 10. In fact, Patel was scheduled to carry out the exercise on June three. "We are one of the best state governments in the country with tremendous achievements in the field of irrigation, electricity, industry, primary education, and primary health." He said the state would make maximum efforts to bring more majorindustries to Karnataka. "Volvo, Suzuki, Toyota-Kirloskar, and Telco have set up shops in the state with a total investment of more than Rs 1,000 crore. The government will attract more funds with the completion of several infrastructure-related projects in the state," he added.

The chief minister criticised the Union government for not taking the states into confidence on the decision to implement the Fifth Pay commission report and enhance the retirement age limit of central government and PSU employees from 58 to 60 years.

The state is planning to hold discussions with other state governments to frame suitable strategy on the above issue, he said.

To a question, Patel said Cogentrix and International Airport projects in Karnataka are pending before the Union government. "We met the Union civil aviation minister HN Ananth Kumar last week and discussed the issue. He said that there is a small hitch between the company, which is taking up the airport project, and the central government," Pateladded.

On the proposed sanctions against the country, he said World Bank funds to Karnataka, which have been already sanctioned, would remain unaffected. "A World Bank vice-president on a recent visit to the state has stated that future funds would have to be reviewed in the light of the sanctions," Patel said. "I am not a follower of any party. Our cabinet has implemented several projects with local support in Karnataka. Due to policies on agriculture and industrial fronts, the per capita income in Karnataka has increased to Rs 11,249 in 1997-98.