Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 5: The newly appointed district in-charge minister Dr Jayamala visited the district for the very first time after taking up the post on Sunday, August 5.
She first visited the famous Sri Krishna temple to seek blessings from Lord Krishna and Palimaru Math Swamiji. Later, she came to Circuit House (IB) at Bannanje. Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, Former MLA Pramod Madhwaraj and former Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, Congress and JD(S) leaders greeted her.
“Karavali is a beautiful region. I often visit temples. Likewise, I took blessings of God,” she told media.
When questioned if it was challenging to communicate with the five BJP MLA's of Udupi, she said, “It is not a challenge. Everyone should work together so that government programmes reach people. The BJP MLA's have the same responsibility. Political leaders are the servant of public. No one escape from this responsibility.”
When questioned on crime rate increasing in Udupi in spite of it being a literate district and on the three murders and one unnatural death that was reported in the district recently, she said, “'All cases are being investigated and police department is doing their duty. I will not comment much on this issue.”
“I am familiar with Udupi. I will discuss the problems and will collect the opinion from the people. Everyone has done their work sincerely and honestly,” she said.
Regarding rumours about dropping the Mathru Poorna Yojana, she said, “no one can stop this scheme, because it is a central government programme. This scheme is meant to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women in rural areas. They are given Rs 1,800. We cannot see poverty in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Ramnagar. It is a very successful scheme in 26 districts of Karnataka. The meals provided under the scheme will meet 40-45% of the daily calorie, protein and calcium requirement of the pregnant and lactating mothers.”
Former Karkala MLA Gopal Bhandary, MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, district Congress president Janardhan Thonse and others were present.