Pics: Sphoorty Ullal 
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)

Mangalore, Dec 4: Maharashtra state cabinet minister Suresh Shetty, a native of Yellur in undivided Dakshina Kannada district, was felicitated by District Congress Committee (DCC) members on Friday December 4 during his visit to the district. 

Shetty, who was on a private visit to his native place, was welcomed in a grand manner by the DCC members in recognition of his becoming a popular minister in the Maharashtra government by winning thrice.

Shetty is the state minister for public health and family welfare, environment, and protocol.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “The Maharashtra government is facing challenges in the medical field due to a shortage of nurses in hospitals. So, there is a need to set up short-term nursing courses to meet the shortage” and added that it is a greater challenge ahead of him.

“Maharashtra is also affected by the crisis in Dubai and several people have contacted the government on this issue. But the government has not decided to take any steps on this issue and will decide shortly”, he said adding that there are many people who went to Dubai in search of a job.

Replying to queries on the Shiva Sena issues in Maharashtra he said, “We always oppose their ideology” and did not reply about the Belagavi border issue.   

Shetty said that he speaks Tulu at home, but does not know Kannada. He will visit several temples in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts after visiting his ancestral house in Padubidri.

KPCC member Majunatha Bhandary, MLA U T Khader, Congress leaders Vinaya Kumar Sorake, T K Sudhir, and District Youth Congress president Arun Coelho were present during the felicitation at the Congress office.