Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Dec 11: "Currently, even after the railway line between Mangaluru and Bengaluru was converted into broad gauge, trains take about 13 o 15 hours to run between these two destinations. There is suspicion that bus lobby is working behind this inordinately slow running time. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, has the authority to scrutinize the truth behind this suspicion. He should immediately intervene in the matter and find out the truth," said MLC and chief whip of the government in legislative council, Ivan D'Souza.

Ivan was addressing a press conference in his 'Janaspandana' office here on Sunday December 10.

"I have raised the demand for opening Indira Canteens in all the five taluks of Dakshina Kannada district in the council. In the coming days, a total of 247 Indira Canteens will be opened which include district and taluk headquarters. Such canteens will also come up in Moodbidri and other taluk headquarters of the new taluks which will be coming up shortly," he assured. He said that this information was given by food and civil supplies minister, U T Khader. Khader had said in his reply that the chief minister had given this information to him, he stated.

Ivan also said he is of the opinion that such canteens should come up in Mulky and Bajpe in addition to this town, taking in to account high number of coolies, students, and population living below poverty line.

Kudubi community

Ivan said that recommendation had been sent to include Kudubis under scheduled tribe category ten years back. "Institute for Social and Economic Change' having headquarters at Nagarbavi Bengaluru had been asked during May 2015 to undertake a study on this issue and submit a report. Minister for social welfare and backward classes, H Anjaneya, gave this information in response to a question posed by me," he explained.

Ivan said that the transport minister had told him that luxury buses would be introduced by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to Bengaluru from this town during January 2018. Permits have been issued to KSRTC to run 56 single trips by eight buses between Mangaluru and Karkala via this town. Government buses will take to road in this sector once mandatory meetings are held and basic facilities are put together, he added.