Pics: Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 30: Muzrai, Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport minister Kota Srinivas Poojary offered Bagina to Swarna River along with his wife Shantha and MLA Raghupathi Bhat on Thursday, August 29.

Vasudeva Bhat Perampalli performed religious rituals. Later, Mangalarati was performed to Sri Siddhivinayaka Devi.

Naveen Shivattaya, temple priest, Krishnamurthy Shivattaya, management board member, engineer Ramesh Rao welcomed Kota Srinivasa Poojary and his wife.

Municipal council members Manjula Nayak, Manjunatha Shettigar, Balakrishna Shetty, Chandrasekhar, Jayanti Poojary, Girish Anchan, Giridhar Karamballi, Majinagar chairperson Hirga Dinakara Shetty, Harikrishna Shivathaya, Satish Kumar, Srinivas Ballal and others were present.

After the pooja, Poojary told media persons that offering Bagina to Swarna river is a legacy, which was followed by late minister V S Acharya in earlier days. Developing the coastal region was dream of V S Acharya. So the Muzrai and tourism departments have jointly taken up initiatives to fulfill that dream. The construction work will begin soon, he said.

“Drastic changes are made at district administration level. DC has conducted one meeting and he will conduct few more in days to come. There is a small administrative level problem and we will rectify it. We have asked 10 to 15 days’ time and we will make it happen,” he said.

Everyone thought getting the harbour and fishing departments together is a good idea. A meeting was held on various coastal, harbour related problems like sea erosion, protection of sea shore and protection of 309 km Ullala – Karwar beach and other issues. “I will solve the issues and get facilities from the government,” assured the minister.

“There are legal obstacles to provide facilities for fishing workers. Rs 6 crore cess is reserved in construction workers fund. Fishermen will not come under construction workers criteria as per the norms,” he explained.

“Commonly, Siddaramaiah is not known to praise anyone. Chief minister Yediyurappa camped for many days at flood affected areas. So the CM is capable in giving good governance. There is no need that Siddaramaiah reminds CM of his capacity. We listen to the suggestions of high command and this is a practice,” he said.

"As far as government administration is concerned, three deputy chief ministers are appointed. There are no confusions within the government," he clarified.