Beltangady: CM inaugurates SDM Hospital, says no confusion about Yettinahole
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (NM)
With Inputs from Sumanth Kashyap
Beltangady, Sep 29: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday September 29 inaugurated Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) Hospital at Ujire here.
On his maiden visit to the Dharmasthala as CM, Siddaramaiah said, “Sophisticated hospitals in urban areas are common, but similar hospitals have to established in rural areas where quality medical treatment can be offered to the poor as well.”
He added that health is an asset which everybody should take care of and only then can one lead quality life and contribute to society.
Recalling to his recent visit to China, he said, "The city of Shanghai has a whopping population of 2.4 crore, yet its infrastructure is exemplary. But Bangalore which has 1 crore population suffers from bad infrastructure The state has a long way to go in providing decent infrastructure to the citizens."
He lamented that Karnataka has the highest number of poor people with 23.6% in south India. "Thus the government has spent around Rs 4, 200 crore to feed the one crore families under ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme," he said.
Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade addressing the gathering said that people should become stake holders of the government policies rather than considering themselves as benefactors. He also requested the CM for a scientific approach towards Netravati river diversion project by conducting scientific survey for proper distribution of water for irrigation across Dakshina Kannada district.
He informed that the multispecialty hospital has 200 beds and advanced medical facilities like CT scan, outpatient units with free medical check-up and medicines for the poor. Patients who have medical insurance ‘Suraksha’ too can enjoy free medical facilities, he said.
Beltangady MLA Vasanth Bangera, minister for forest, environment and ecology Ramanath Rai, youth affairs and Fisheries minister K Abhayachandra Jain, Health and family welfare minister U T Khader, Urban development minister Vinay Kumar sorake, Dakshina Kannada district MP Nalin Kumar Kateel were present on the occasion.
Secretary of SDM Educational Society Harshendra Kumar welcomed the guests and the gathering. Prof.Dr. Sampath Kumar compered the event.
No confusion about Yettinahole project: CM
To clear all the confusions about Yettinahole project, a meeting of protestors, experts, environmentalists and elected representatives will be called in DC’s office, said chief minister Siddaramaiah.
On Sunday, speaking to the reporters at the helipad in Dharmasthala, the CM said that Yettinahole project is designed with the purpose of providing drinking water to the district of Kolar. "Because of this project, the people of Dakshina Kannada district will not face any problem nor water shortage. There will not be river diversion, but water will only be drawn from the river," he added.
As soon as the chief minister arrived at the helipad, hundreds of people reached there and submitted memorandum to the CM. He said will come to a decision on Yettinahole project after an elaborate study and discussion.
'Allegations against Santosh Lad baseless'
"The allegations against state minister Santosh Lad about his involvement in mining scam are baseless. We have inducted Santosh Lad into the cabinet only after verifying the allegations. Therefore, if there is any truth, let advocate Hiremath give sufficient proof. We will verify it. I have not received any letter regarding the allegations against cabinet ministers by H S Doreswamy (freedom fighter). Santhosh Lad was issued ‘C’ category license for mining. The allegation of his involvement is result of a confusion due to the name VS Lad and Sons and VS Mining Company. Santosh Lad's name does not even figure in the Lokyukta report," the CM claimed.
On Sonia Gandhi’s visit to the state, the chief minister said that AICC supremo will address the district of Mandya to thank the voters for electing two Congress candidates in the recent Lok Sabha by-elections.
On Kharge’s comment
On union railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge’s comment that the state government had not sanctioned funds for the development of state’s railway projects, Siddaramaiah said that about Rs 700 crores is required for the state railiway ministry, out of which Rs 350 crore has been allotted in the budget. However, since new plans were designed for the railway ministry, an additional Rs 350 crore is required, he said.
On fruit rot disease affecting areca crops, he said a separate report has been sent to the central government for funds. A loss of approximately Rs 243 crore has been estimated, he added.
Ministers Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake, U T Khadar, Abhaychandra Jain, MLA K Vasanth Bangera, DC N Prakash, ZP CEO Tulasi Maddineni, IGP Prathap Reddy, SP Abhishek Goyal and others were present.
The chief minister also visited Shree Kshetra Dharmathala and sought divine blessings.