Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jun 25: “The state government has not distributed drought relief to 165 draught affected taluks including Udupi provided by the union government at the rate of Rs 6,800 per acre. The state government has distributed relief at the rate of Rs 2,000 per acre in some places but has completely failed to make use of the amount released by the union government. It is not known whether the amount remitted by the centre has been swindled by the officials or is safely assigned to lockers by the state government. The situation in Karnataka stands as testimony to the truth behind the relevance of the adage which says that even when the Almighty gives, it does not reach devotees unless priest does his duty”, said Shobha Karandlaje, MP of Udupi Chikkamagaluru constituency.

She was speaking to reports at the BJP office at Kundapur. “H K Patil stated in the assembly that the state government has kept the amount received by it from the union government for letting it grow in the bank and then misused of interest earned on it. No investigation is held so far about this allegation. The only government which has issued false utilization certificate to the centre for funds received from the union government happens to be led by Siddaramaiah. How does the amount of Rs 3,500 crore given by union government go to the bank? It is possible only by way of filing false utilization certificate," she reasoned.

Suspicious death of officials:

“Anurag Tiwari who had planned to uncover a huge corruption case in the department of food and civil supplies died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. There is an attempt to cover up the case. It is being reflected as suicide. Similar attempts are made in case of mysterious deaths of most of the officials. There is no protection for sincere officials in Karnataka state. It has happened for the first time in the state in many years. Corruption has been rampant in all the departments. Work in Yettinahole project is being conducted without any planning. Pipelines are laid without knowing how much water is available. It is only a conspiracy to make money”, she alleged.

There is no sand policy in the state:

“Sand mining has become a big business. One of the examples for it is the attempted murder of Udupi deputy commissioner. It has happened not only here but attacks have occurred on several officials in the state. They go to show that law and order situation has worsened in the state. A state minister flanked by goodas is seen to order a superintendent of police to register case under section 307 against Prabhaker Bhat. Ramanath Rai has pledged himself for the protection of those who pelt stones and cause communal unrest. The minister is doing it only as part of vote bank politics”, she said.

“Congress rule in the state is zero. People want a change. Siddarmaiah is working towards realizing the dream of Modi's ‘Congress free India”, she said wryly.

Speaking about development, she said that three years have passed by since Modi government came to power at the centre. The government has taken giant strides in implementing promises made during elections. "I have brought lot of funds to this part as an MP. Special initiative is taken for the faster implementation of Thirthahalli – Malpe national highway and Naravi – Bajagoli road development. While NH 66 work was going slow, it was given impetus with my effort and completed. Rs 250 crore was brought from Central Road fund for development of village roads. Four training institutes have been set up started in the town. Gems and jewellery training institute among them is first of its kind institute in the country that has set foot here”, she said.

“There was a long-pending demand to start a passport service centre in Udupi. It will open here soon. Konkan railway tracks are also being doubled. The flyover at Basrur is approved by Nitin Gadkari. It will be completed in a year after monsoon season," she stated.

Rehabilitation centres are being opened in all the states and workshops are held after Nirbhaya case. I have spoken to minister, Maneka Gandhi, to bring it to Udupi also. Money for dredging in Malpe and Kodi has been received. The work needs to be started after completion of tender process. I have tried to bring in whatever possible in different departments. More needs to be brought in and I am trying hard for the same", she said.