Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Aug 4: The foundation stone for the first phase of the tourist guest house being constructed at St Joseph Vaz Shrine, Mudipu, at a cost of Rs 50 lac under the state toursm department was laid on Monday August 3.

Vicar general of Mangaluru diocese Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu laid the foundation stone for the new building in the presence of health minister U T Khader and other guests.

Addressing the gathering, U T Khader said, "A sum of over Rs 7 crore has been released from different government departments for basic necessities in places of worship of various religions in Mangaluru constituency. The government will release the remaining amount at the earliest."

Khader further said, "As promised during the elections, an amount of Rs 1.15 crore has been released for road development and basic facilities in Mudipu, Rs 2 crore was released for basic facilities during Ullal Dargah Uroos, and Rs 1.10 crore has been released from the department of tourism and other departments for Somnath Temple at Pavoor Devandabetta.

"Rs 5 lac to Rs 30 lac has been provided for the construction of community halls, temples, churches, and mosques," he added.

St Joseph Vaz Church parish priest Fr Benjamin Pinto welcomed the guests and the gathering.

Thokottu Permannur church parish priest Fr J P Saldanha, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district KREDL executive engineer Sheshadri, Balepuni Kairangala gram panchayat president Leelavathi, vice-president Vanitha B Rai, Mudipu block Congress president Chandrahas Karkera, vice-president Prashanth Kajava, chief secretary Jaleel Montugoli, Kurnad gram panchayat president Abdul Razak Kukkaje, leaders Padmanabha Naringana, Nasir Nadupadavu, taluk panchayat member Mohammed Monu Pavooru, and church welfare committee vice-president Roshan D’ Souza were present.