Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Jun 11: Speaking to media representatives, newly sworn in minister for urban development and housing, U T Khader, pledged to work along with current and past legislators to make the departments under his control people-friendly. He reminded them that when he was food and civil supplies minister, he had striven to bring the department closer to the people, and in the current departments too he plans to introduce new schemes to make the departments more people-friendly and affective.

The minister was speaking to media people after visiting Dharmasthala and speaking to Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade and seeking his blessings on Sunday June 10. He said that a meeting relating to urban development department is being held at Bengaluru on Monday.

On his arrival at temple town Dharmasthala, he was received on behalf of Dharmasthala establishment by Harshendra Kumar. The minister was accompanied by district Congress president and MLC, Harish Kumar, former minister, Abhayachandra Jain and several other Congress leaders, Khader also visited Sri Rama temple at Kanyadi where he was welcomed by Tukaram Salian of Gurudeva Math trust in the absence of Brahmananda Saraswathi Swamiji who was not in station.

The minster also paid a visit to naturopathy hospital and spoke to doctors, staff and people undergoing treatment. He also met chief medical officer of the hospital, Dr Prashanth Shetty. He said that in the coalition environment, he will work honestly for the upliftment of the people and development of the state and that having been abreast of problems of the people, he is confident of working efficiently in the new departments given to him.

He also met former minister, B Ramanath Rai, at his residence at Kallige village, former MLAs, Shakuntala Shetty and Abhayachandra Jain, as well as former MLA, Vasanth Bangera.