Mangalore: C T Ravi Calls DK a Model Dist, Promises to Finish Pending Works

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Jul 21: "Dakshina Kannada is a model district both in terms of administration and  organization. I am just a trainee and my term as district in-charge will be a training period for me," said C T Ravi.

He was addressing a press meet here on Saturday July 21 during his maiden visit to the city after assuming the post of Dakshina Kannada district.

He further said that he will strive to finish all the pending development works in the district and will call a progress review meet in this regard before August 15. "The works will be categorized as short-term long-term, and handled accordingly," he said, adding that he will ask for a list of pending works from the officials and discuss the same with the chief minister.

He also said that he will visit the district every fortnight to keep a check on the development works.

To a query on the proposed Netravati river diversion project, Ravi said that Netravati is the main source of water for the people of the district, and no decision will be taken at the cost of the people and the environment. "Under primary discussion in this regard are in progress," he said.

On the issue of ban on plastic in the district, he said that all types of carrybags and plastic cups/plates will have to be banned and that he would instruct the DC to pass an order in this regard. In his home district of Chikmagalur, a similar ban is already in place.

Law and order in the district will be given special priority and all measures will be taken to see that there no untoward incidents reported anywhere, he said.

On the traffic chaos at Nanthoor junction which was worsened by the installation of the new circle, he said that he will call a meeting with the district officials and the NHAI and find solution for the same.

Progress Review Meet

Earlier in the day, a progress review meet was chaired by C T Ravi in the presence of legislative assembly deputy speaker Yogish Bhat, muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, DC Dr N Channappa Gowda, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, city police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, SP Abhishek Goyal and zilla panchayat CEO Dr Vijayprakash.

Addressing the C T Ravi, Dr Channappa Gowda said that there is a need to open a day care centre for endosulfan victims at Puttur, and resume the one that is shut down at Kokkada. He appealed to the minister to grant a sum of Rs one crore for the same.

He also urged C T Ravi to promptly initiate work on the third phase of jetty construction at Bunder. 

When the DC raised concern over the undue delay in highway work at Kottara and Suratkal, for which the district administration was blamed by the public, Ravi assured that discussions with all the MLAs of the region and the NHAI officials will be held and intructions will be given to resume the work at the earliest.

He also informed that under the Sakala scheme, 95 percent of the applications have been cleared by the district administration, though in SP's and police commissioner's office 229 applications are pending. "This is due to the fact that Sakala was introduced in the police system only in April, while in other government offices it was introduced earlier," he added.

DDPI Moses Jayashekar said that there were 446 teacher posts lying vacant in government schools, and urged the minister to take action in this regard. "In Naxal areas 13 posts have been filled, but there's more scarcity in Beltangady and Bantwal. The problem becomes worse after teachers are transferred and go for counselling," he said.

C T Ravi in his response to the issues raised at the meeting said that he will carefully study the problems and take suitable action. As it is not even a month since he took up the new post, he asked the officials to give him sometime.

Money for pujas for rain to be spent from temple treasury - Kota Srinivas Poojary

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the review meet, muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary defended his decision to hold pujas in temples across the state for rains.

"Some people are opposed to the idea, but it is tradition of this land to pray to god when things go wrong. As 123 taluks in the state are facing severe drought, order has been passed to offer special pujas in 34,266 muzrai temples in the state," he said.

He also pointed out that the authorities have been instructed to not spend more than Rs 5,000 for the puja in each temple. "If a temple cannot afford even Rs 5,000, it can offer only 'Jalabhisheka' which will not cost much," he said.

In response to the criticism the decision evoked from various corners, he said that the money on pujas will not be spent from the state treasury but from the treasury of each temple. "Hence, there is no point in condemning the decision," he said, adding that pujas will be held on July 27 and August 2 as these are auspicious days.

Earlier Report

Mangalore: Never Aspired for Minister's Post - District In-charge C T Ravi

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Jul 21: "I have always worked hard for BJP, and it was my dream to join politics. I am totally dedicated towards my party, and I have tried my best to uphold its principles and objectives," said BJP spokesperson and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge C T Ravi.

He was speaking at the BJP office here on Saturday July 21 during his maiden visit to the city after assuming the post of district in-charge minister.

He further said that he is not after power or position as they are not permanent entities, but only wants to serve his party with dedication and loyalty. He said that he was from a middle class family with middle class amibitions and values, and that he never aspired for minister's post.

Recalling his early days in politics, he praised BJP and thanked his party for given him a chance to serve the district and said that he will do his utmost to strengthen the party at its roots.

He also said that he will finish all the pending development works in the district.

The local BJP leaders and party workers felicitated him on the occasion.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel lauded C T Ravi and said that the people of the district were lucky and blessed to have him as the in-charge. He expressed his confidence that the district will develop to great extent under his command.

District BJP president Padmanabha Kottari welcomed. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, BJP leaders and party workers were present.

Earlier in the day, C T Ravi visited Mangaladevi Temple to seek divine blessings. He will also be holding a press meet later on.