Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Updated
Mangaluru, Apr 5: Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday April 5 inaugurated the new polypropylene unit at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL).
Addressing the gathering, Dharmendra Pradhan said that a 'Skill Development Centre' for youths will be opened in Mangaluru and promised that he and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel would take up this matter seriously.
"It is a privilege for me to visit an integrated complex like MRPL. I also visited OMPL, ISPRL and SEZ and inspected them. There are a few families who are staying close to the industry are facing problems and this issue has to be sorted out very soon. I am going to meet them personally and talk to them and collect their opinions," he said.
He further said, "Education and healthcare have to be given more preference. India is developing and Mangaluru is the connecting hub for most of the foreign countries for import and export business. Mangaluru has given gems to our country and they are making a name in various places."
Speaking on the work on urea-based GAIL pipeline, Pradhan said, "We are importing urea from other countires. Both the central and the state governments should join hands in completing the GAIL pipeline."
He also spoke about the 'Make in India' and Swachch Bharat campaigns started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the city is in the hands of the people and everyone should make efforts to keep it clean.
Minister for youth services and sports and fisheries Abhaychandra Jain praised MRPL and said that the land value of Mangaluru had increased after MRPL came into existence. "MRPL should provide job opportunities for youths of those families that are staying closer to the industry. MRPL should respond to the families who are facing problems from coke unit," he said.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel laid down three points on which MRPL should take initiative - funding government hospitals and schools; providing job opportunities for youths; and constructing roads in parts where families are residing closer to MRPL.
"Mangaluru is developing, and MRPL, SEZ and other companies are making fast progress. MRPL is giving preference to Narendra Modi's Make in India and Swachch Bharat campaigns. The company has to fulfill the requirements of various farmers who have given up their land for the MPRL," Kateel said.
On this occasion MRPL distributed keys for newly-constructed toilets at various government funded schools accross the district.
H Kumar, managing director of MRPL welcomed the guests. Vishnu Agarwal, director for finance proposed the vote of thanks.
Mangaluru north MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Nagaraj Shetty, Yogish Bhat, special secretary and financial advisor S C Kuntia and others were also present on this occasion.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Dharmendra Pradhan flags off Swachch Bharat campaign, visits Lady Goschen
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal / Johnas Sequeira
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Apr 5: Dharmendra Pradhan, union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, on Sunday April 5 flagged off the 10th Swachch Bharat campaign organized by Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru at Circuit House here.
Addressing the gathering, he said, "I thought we would conduct Swachch Bharat campaign in MRPL. But my friend who is associated with Ramakrishna Mission requested me to take part in Swachch Bharat campaign conducted by the Mission. I congratulate the Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mission on conducting this campqign. This is not a government or individual programme, this is about awareness. We live in beautiful land and its our responsibility to keep it clean. In Karnataka, Mangaluru has its own identity. Everyone must take part in such a noble act. I request the Swamiji not to stop this after 40 weeks, but continue in future also."
Raviraj Hegde Kodavoor, president of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) handed over a cheque of Rs 7 lac to the minister for Kashmir flood victims and said that Rs 3 lac worth of milk powder has been already sent to them.
Ganesh Karnik, MLC, Jitakamananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mission Mangaluru, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP of DK, J R Lobo, MLA Mangaluru South, Yogish Bhat, former MLA, Monappa Bhandary, former MLC and Krishna Palemaar, former MLA were present.
Visit to Lady Goschen
Dharmendra Pradhan later visited Lady Ghoshan hospital and inspected the work on the new building being constructed with the contribution from MRPL and the state government. He also appreciated the hospital for its cleanliness and termed it as 'one of the cleanest government hospitals'.
Answering questions of media persons, he said, "There was a delay in release of funds due to fluctuations in the profits as MRPL is a government-owned profit making organization. But we will release the funds at the earliest."
Ganesh Karnik, MLC, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP of DK, Nagraj Shetty, former MLA, A B Ibrahim, deputy commisioner and Dr Shakuntala, superintendent of Lady Goshan hospital were present.