International Status to Mangalore Airport After UP Polls: Moily
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Feb 8: "Announcement of international status to Mangalore airport will be made after the Uttar Pradesh polls," said union corporate affairs minister Dr M Veerappa Moily.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a press meet held at Ocean Pearl here on Wednesday February 8 to brief the media about the upcoming 'Karnataka Export Vision - 2020', an exporters' convention on Sunday February 13.
He said that Mangalore airport already has international facilities and everything is in place, and only the formal announcement is pending.
"The grant of international status was supposed to be made when Vayalar Ravi was the union civil aviation minister, but at the last minute the aviation portfolio was given to Ajit Singh, and hence there was a delay. As the new union minister is busy with the UP elections, he will make the announcement only after the polls are over," Moily explained.
'No Excuse for Assembly Act'
On the burning issue of BJP ministers being caught watching porn in the Assembly, he said, "There can be no excuse for the indecent act of the ministers in the Karnataka Assembly. They have brought shame to the public life of this country and to the state."
He further said that Krishna Palemar, Laxman Savadi and C C Patil, who resigned after they were caught watching a porn video allegedly on Palemar's mobile, had desecrated the sancity of the Assembly.
"When there is drought-like situation in the state and other burning issues that need attention, these ministers have shown their insensitivity towards imporant problems that need to be tackled," he said.
"Just resignation is not enough, they should be suspended from the party," he demanded, adding that they had also violated the cyber laws.
"BJP speaks of morality and decency but this act is a serious crime. The speaker should uphold the dignity of the House. It shows the arrogance of the CM and others who have been saying that they have taken action by simply expelling them,"
He predicted that the incident would be a major setback to the BJP as it has brought in a sense of shame among the people.
Exporters' Convention
The exporters' convention on Monday February 13 would be inaugurated by Moily at 10 am.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, union minister of commerce and industry will be the chief guest while state industries minister Murgesh Nirani will preside.
Anup K Pujari, director general of foreign trade (DGFT) will deliver the keynote address.
Padmashree Rafiq Ahmed, president of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), New Delhi, Dr V S Acharya, state minister of higher education, Yogish Bhat, deputy speaker of state assembly, Abhayachandra Jain, Navin Kumar Kateel, MP, and M Narendra, chairman and MD of Indian Oversees Bank will be guests of honour.
Moily said that this is the first time in the state that such an exporters' conclave is being organized by the state government in association with Udupi and DK units of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The convention aims at bringing about big changes in the exporters' field, he said, adding that exporters from all over Karnataka will participate in the convention, where they will discuss issues like hassles to export trade.
Around 250 delegates will participate, including those from shipping sectors, corporates and students. The convention will aim to attract young minds to export trading, he said.
On the same day, the valedictory will be held, which will be presided over by Rafiq Ahmed. There will be technical session during the day.
Walter D'Souza, chairman, FIEO, southern region, and convenor of organising committee, Tamilvanan, NMPT chairman and convention promoter, K Tejomaya, coordinator, organizing committee, and M R Vasudeva, Mangalore airport director were present at the press meet.
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