Udupi: Sorake inaugurates Pramod Madhwaraj's office, defends CM on temple issue

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM/NM)

Udupi, May 25: The newly-elected Congress MLA Pramod Madhwaraj’s new office at taluk panchayat premises was officially inaugurated by Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development here on Saturday May 25.

The minister said that the city is facing severe water shortage, and to sort this out, discussion will be held with the central authorities to avail Varahi water to the city. A survey for the same will also be done at the earliest.

"The state government has appealed to the centre regarding supply of water from Varahi to Udupi. Besides, appropriate action will also be taken to speed up the work on Varahi project," he said.

"Providing permanent drinking water facility will be the aim of this government," he stressed.

Sorake also said that Udupi will be developed to such high standards that it will set and example to others.

"We are determined to develop the rural areas by adopting the multi-village scheme and provide all basic facilities in Udupi. Multi-village scheme and title deed issues will be considered on priority basis. People will get these amenities at the earliest," he said.

"City development scheme has been already proposed with Kamal Nath, union minister for urban development and Ajay Maken, minister of state for urban development and principal secretary. Further steps will be taken in this regard," he said.

Pramod Madhwaraj said that five villages will have full-fledged drainage system. "The process of cleaning drainages in the city will be completed within the next 10 days. The rain we had a few days back increased the ground water level and we could survive one more month," he said.

On his new office, he said, "This office will be open for the service of the common man. People can contact me any time."

Janardhan Bhandarkar, Bhirthi Rajesh Shetty, William Martis, Keshav Kundar Malpe and others were present.

'CM never spoke of taking control over Sri Krishna Math'

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines, Sorake defended chief minister Siddaramaiah on the burning issue of government's proposal to take control of Sri Krishna Math and said that the CM had never made such a statement.

"The chief minister spoke of sorting out the confusion created by the erstwhile BJP government in the muzrai department. Temple trustees who have been working for long are neglected while persons without any connection to the temple have been appointed as trustees. There are many similar problems existing in the muzrai department. The chief minister said such issues will be sorted out. What is wrong in that?"

“The chief minister never said anything about inclusion of Sri Krishna Math under muzrai department," he asserted.

He also assured that a solution would be found to the issue of Brahmavar sugar factory and that he would hold discussions with the deputy commissioner in this regard.

"We have already fulfilled four points in our manifesto. Our party manifesto is like a religious scripture for us and we will abide by our promises," he said.