Pics: Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 28: In a bid to get its act together ahead of the zilla panchayat and MLC elections, the district Congress committee on Saturday November 28 organized a mega convention of party leaders and workers at SMS Community Hall, Brahmavar here.

The convention was inaugurated by Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes.

In his inaugural address Oscar said, "The government should place power in the hands of women. Women had 33% reservations in elections which was later increased to 48%. There are possibilities of increasing it further to 70% in the upcoming elections. Women candidates have every opportunity to contest in the elections and win."

He also said that the system of fund transfer has changed, and now gram panchayats are receiving funds directly from the central government.

He further said that many of the migrant children below 14 years had not been enrolled for basic education, and in addition there was need to focus on shelter and ration cards for poor people.

He hoped that India would reach the top in future with regard to the economy.

Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde in his address hinted at differences brewing within the Udupi Congress and said, "There is some confusion among the party workers in Udupi. I urge Oscar Fernandes to call everyone concerned for a discussion and resolve the issues."

He further said, "During my tenure I did not hurt anyone. I used my term as MP in the best way possible. We need to see some changes in politics.

"I was told to talk on the defects and drawbacks of the union government today. The major one is with regard to the land acquisition bill. Nearly 80 percent of the farmers are against the bill. The government should give compensation four times the market value to farmers who lose their land in rural areas and in urban area, two times the market value. The union government should understand the farmers' problems.

"The other is the policy on street vendors. Without any proper alternative arrangement, the union government brought a new policy, which I strongly condemn," he added.

"In every gram panchayat there should be a pre-council meeting where opinions are collected from people and later expressed in the council meetings. If this is done, power will be truly decentralized," Hegde opined, adding, "We can work for the people even without having political power. The law should reach the people."

Addressing himself to MLA Pramod Madhwaraj who was recently appointed parliamentary secreatry to the revenue minister, J P Hegde said, "People are suffering due to inefficiencies in the revenue department and the taluk office. Preference should be given to solve these problems."

Pramod Madhwaraj said, "When you give importance to the growth of the gram panchayat, the nation also grows. This was also the dream of Rajiv Gandhi. I will continue to work for the development of Udupi"

Pratapchandra Shetty, H Gopal Bhandary, former MLA Karkala, P Basavaraj, M A Gafoor, secretary KPCC, Veronica Carnelio, president, district Mahila Congress committee, Janardhan Tonse, president, town planning authority, Bhujanga Shetty and others were present.