Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, May 16: The platinum jubilee valedictory celebration of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was held here at TMA Pai hall on Monday May 16.
Addressing the gathering, union railway minister Suresh Prabhu lauded the coastal district and its people.
Union railway minister, Suresh Prabhu said, “For me Mangaluru is like an in-law's place. I am always happy to visit the city and meet friends. I always consider it as my second home as I used to visit it often. Now that I am in the cabinet, I do not get much opportunity to visit and coming today is a great opportunity to be here.”
“I congratulate KCCI for completing an important milestone of seventy five years. It is very fascinating to know that a group of merchants started this association at the time when India's turnover was Rs 10,000 crore and today its Rs 2 trillion.”
“We have come a long way. Making the first million was very difficult. We have doubled our turnover in the past 7 years only, from Rs 1 trillion to Rs 2 trillion. So the growth of India's economy will be synonymous in the years to come. India's growth is driven not by the government alone, but by the people. That is why the history of KCCI is the history of modern India. We should now be ready for doubling our economy and this means we will be the third largest economy in the world.”
“The government has thrust itself into creating more entrepreneurs and making business in India easy. Recently we passed a bankruptcy law in parliament. This is very important since there is a life cycle for business. Many initiatives have been taken by our government to allow businesses and entrepreneurs to grow. In the last year we have invested more than Rs 1 lac crore. An additional Rs 1 lac crore is being invested in high speed railways and another Rs 85,000 crore into dedicated corridors. Already a Rs 40,000 crore contract is given for creating electrical locomotives. Karnataka has got a huge amount of money in the last two budget sessions which previously no government has given.”
“In the next three months, we will form a joint venture company with Karnataka to create additional infrastructure. This is something different that we have decided to adopt. Along with our developments additional infrastructure is also created. This year about Rs 1.21 lac crore will be the capital expenditure and many other huge capital expenditures will happen with private partnership, state government and others. Some of the works have been mentioned by you and some are already underway and many others can be taken up under this new company. The idea is that priorities are decided by the local authority and state governments and development is initiated.”
“The coast is very important. I consider it one of the best in the world. So I realize that the potential of the west coast can be utilized to its maximum. We have already begun doubling of the Konkan Railway track, as well as decided to electrify the Konkan Railway. One of the greatest sons of India, George Fernandes is one of the founders of Konkan Railway. In Goa, we have set up a centre for tunnel technology. It is rightly named after George Fernandes. Another centre in Udupi is named after the former chief minister of Karnataka, Ramakrishna Hegde.”
“I request KCCI to partner with Konkan Railway and generate ideas for the development of the west coast. Cement, steel and other material purchased by the railways is utilized for creating infrastructure which is at least few lac crore. Just imagine the impact it will create on the economy. So we have made everything transparent. I, therefore appeal to you today publicly if you find any wrongdoing in the railways, please bring it to my notice and strict action will be taken,” he added.
District incharge minister, B Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo and MP Naleen Kumar Kateel also spoke on the occasion. They congratulated the KCCI on completing 75 years and urged the minister to set up a railway divisional office here in the city, to reduce Mangaluru to Bengaluru travel time to six hours and to re-initiate the proposal of upgrading Mangaluru Railway Station to international standards.