Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 27: Congress leader Prasad Raj Kanchan clarified that the government did not provide any assurance regarding the release of funds for the Udupi Paryaya festival, despite requests for financial assistance.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday evening at a private hotel in the city, he emphasised that he was part of the committee for the festival and reiterated that the government did not commit to release of any funds.
In response to accusations from local legislators about the cancellation of 40,000 BPL cards in the district, he pointed out that only 38,765 cards had been revoked, with 37,395 of those cardholders having an annual income of Rs 1.20 lac. He challenged the legislators to document their claims regarding the revocation of BPL cards and suggested that if they failed to do so, resigning would be a sign of integrity.
Addressing the legislators' claims about the state government being bankrupt, he questioned why, with a central BJP government, no significant funding had come to the district. He highlighted the national budget of Rs 48 lac cr and the state budget of Rs 3.50 lac cr, questioning why those in power had not secured even Rs 2,000 cr for the constituency. He urged them to approach Prime Minister Modi for funding, stating that he and his colleagues would support them in discussions if needed.
Kanchan pointed out that it had been over a year since the current legislators took office, yet critical infrastructure issues, such as the Indrali railway overbridge and the National Highway problems in Santhekatté and Malpe-Hebri, remained unresolved. He accused the legislators of creating communal unrest instead of focusing on development and warned that if they continued this way, the people would not bless them in future elections.
He remarked that no Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had provided as much assistance to the poor as he could. However, he criticised the local legislators for keeping their offices closed and urged them to create job opportunities for the youth in the area, expressing willingness to collaborate for the development of the constituency.
Present at the press conference were Brahmavar Congress leader Dinakar Heruru and NSUI leader Sharath Kunder.