Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 12: The members of district Congress, Udupi staged a protest in front of Martyrs’ memorial ground Ajjarkadu, here on Thursday, September 12 against revised motor vehicle act and Union government policies.
Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said, “The Union government did not sanction relief funds for the families of flood-affected areas of the state. Hence, the government must announce the relief fund soon. It should rehabilitate them. None of the affected families have received Rs 10,000, which was announced by the Chief Minister earlier.
“Karnataka and Maharashtra chief ministers are the reason for artificial deluge in north Karnataka. Thousands have lost their homes, property and everything and there is nothing left in their life. Their life is destroyed completely. They are on the streets. The government is introducing policies against people.
“RBI has used Rs 1.76 crore of the reserved emergency funds, which is kept aside for use during emergency in the country only. Today the government has revised the Motor vehicle Act and doubled the fine rate. This has made common people to suffer in their day to day life. Many rickshaw drivers have left their vehicle at RTO office because of heavy fine.
“The government should share information before implementing policies. But it did not take any consideration of the people. BJP is trying to kill democratic system through suppressing of freedom of expression. The Modi led government is weakening strong Congress leaders through IT, ED and CBI raid.
“There is relaxation for Motor Vehicle act in Gujarat, but why the same is not implemented in Karnataka? It is harassment of the poor. The economic system of India is completely collapsed. The actual GDP growth rate is 3.5 not 5%.
“Central government has merged local banks, which were born in the Coastal area and extended its services to many areas of the country. Due to this merger, bank employees will lose their employment.
“Local MLA promised that he will make the sand available for construction within a month after he wins the assembly election. But nothing has happened. Thousands of workers are sitting idle.”
District Congress president, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor also spoke at the protest meet.
Speaking on the occasion, U R Sabhapati said, “The Modi government has made many promises, but did not fulfil them so far. Under the Motor vehicle act, the fixed fine amount is more. How could a poor person pay such heavy fine? It is practically impossible.”
A rally was organized as a part of the protest. It started from Congress Bhavan to Jodukatte and culminated at Martyrs’ ground.
Vishwas Amin, Prakhyath Shetty, Janardhan Kodavoor, Veronica Cornelio, Geetha Vagle, Sunitha Shetty, Jyothi Hebbar, Bhaskar Rao Kediyur, Naveen Chandra Shetty and others were present.