Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 6: MLA U T Khader said, "The state government is betraying the people of Tulunadu by considering the people's proposal to make Tulu as second language of the state after Kannada during the time of elections." 

Addressing media persons here on Monday, February 6, Khader said, "It was a long pending demand to announce Tulu as the second language of the state. The demand has remained unfulfilled for four years and now with just one or two months away from the date of announcement of elections, the government has proposed to make Tulu the second language of the state after Kannada," he charged.

"The proposal is meant to prevent any outrage from the people of Tulunadu at the time of elections. A research committee has been formed which itself is an insult to people of the coastal belt on whether the proposal has to be implemented or not. When you already have enough documents with regard to the Tulu language in various forms there was no need to constitute a committee. Has the government given any time-frame to the committee to submit its report," questioned Khader.

'Union Budget betrays state, district'

Khader also said, "The union budget announced on February 1 was an insult to the people of the state and the district. There was not a single announcement that was meant for the development of district. Since three years there were talks of a tunnel road at Shiradi Ghat and the minister concerned had said in the parliament that the project is unviable."

He further said,"In order to divert people, a letter was given to our MP Nalin Kumar Kateel which stated that Rs 15 crore Shiradi Ghat tunnel project would be pursued. Why the project was not announced during the budget and few other proposals such as setting up a separate railway division were also not announced. An additional train to Bengaluru from Mangaluru has remained pending and the project with regard to the Sagarmala was also not announced."

"Government should provide clarity over implementation of Shiradi Ghat tunnel project," said Khader.

When asked about Amith Shah’s upcoming roadshow on February 11, Khader said, "We welcome Amit Shah to Mangaluru and it is better if he comes via road from Bengaluru so that he will experience the potholes on the road."