Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Nov 16: "To undertake temporary road repair work at Shiradi Ghat, the central government has sanctioned Rs 4 crore and the National Highway authority will begin the work in a week," said district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai.
Addressing the reporters in his new office on Saturday November 16, minister Rai said the local MP could also initiate or take steps against the bad roads but he did not do so and adding to that he is playing a political gimmick.
After Congress government came to power in state, it has launched various pro-people works especially giving importance to poor section of the society. Even then opposition leaders point out on our mistakes, which is not proper, he said.
When Chattisgarh chief minister gave 1 kg rice at Re 2 to poor people, he was praised by the citizens and they called him as ‘Chaval Wala Babu’. But our chief minister Siddaramaih did not get appreciation even after giving rice at Re 1, said minister.
He added "The Congress government in state and center has conducted various developments for the interest of people. Till now, the amount sanctioned by the center to state under central road fund did not exceed Rs 125 crores but this time our transport minister Oscar Fernandes has allotted Rs 1,000 crore for road development in the state."
"When it comes to compensation to farmers who suffered loss due to rots in arecanut, earlier leaders only responded to their problems but no compensation was given to them. But this time, Siddaramaih has allotted a compensation of Rs 20 crores and Rs 6 crores to the district and in Udupi respectively," he added.
The government has also asked to speed up the road construction work in various other places, added Rai.
In a reply to a reporters question about the Yettinahole project, Rai said 'scientific research has to be conducted in the area’.
Speaking about Kasturi Ranganna’s report on Western Ghats where no development works should be undertaken in the eco sense zones, Rai said that since the central government has accepted this stance, even the state government will stand by the decision.
Former Mayors Shashidar Heggde, Ashraf among others were present.