Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Sep 23: After district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai kicked off for campaing to make Mangalore City and Ullal Town Muncipal Council free from kerosene usage, various representatives have expressed a difference of opinion.

A meeting was organized as a prelude to make Mangalore City and Ullal Town Muncipal Council kerosene free at the DC's office here on Monday September 22.

After releasing banners and posters for the Mangalore City kerosene free campaign, addressing the meeting, B Ramanath Rai said, "It is an intiative to provide LPG access to those houses who do not have access yet. With minimum documents one can avail the benfits of LPG. The step is taken as a concern on environment. The city should become free from kerosene and every household should have access to LPG."

ZP president Asha Thimappa Gowda said, "There are many houses which use kersone lamps when power goes off. It would be better if the administration had provided solar lights to these houses. Those BPL families who avail benfits, may lose their card into APL for the only reason that they have LPG. Hence the administration should think regarding this issue."

When MLA Ivan D'Souza quized as to why the administration cannot provide free gas connections to the poor in the city instated of providing loans to the poeple.

District minister reacting to this answered, "Finacial assistance will be provided to SC, ST, backward classes and minorities under various government schmes." He also added as to what more could be done as SCDCC bank and many commercial banks have come forward to provide Rs 4000 loan."

MLA J R Lobo expressing his views regarding many houses in Bengre said, "In Bengre, many houses do not have a ration card because they do not have door numbers. Can the administration think of providing them door numbers or atleast temporary door numbers. Instead, the administration can take an intiative and provide ration cards to those houses in the city who are deprived of ration cards."

"It is the responsbility of the City Corporation and MLA to concentrate on these issues and solve the problem," Rai added.

Sunil Kumar Bajal, secretary of CPI(M) who was present at the meet pointing out the indifference among representatives within the same party said, "Other than Asha Thimmappa Gowda, rest all are the representatives from the same party; it seems that there are confusions among youselves."

DC A B Ibrahim clarified that for gas connections there ration cards are not compulsory. "Only with an identity proof as a document, people can avail the benifit. It is also an attempt to provide connection in a single visit," he added.

Finally, towards the end, Rai, jumping to conclusions said, "This is a good programme to empower weaker sections and provide gas facilities to every house under the pertaining system and this will be helpful to the poor. Kerosene will not be withdraw witout making providing every house with a gas connection."

Mayor Mahabala Marla, Deputy Mayor Kavitha, MLA Moideeen Bhava and others were present for the meet.