With Inputs from Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Kadaba (DV)
Kadaba, Jan 31: Rural development and panchayat raj minister K S Eshwarappa on Sunday January 31 inaugurated a village stay (grama vastavya) programme organised by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Union and Kadaba Taluk Journalists' Association at Kombaru in Kadaba here. The programme is an annual initiative by the journalists to highlight issues facing villages in the district.
Addressing the gathering, he lauded the initiative and said that organising a village stay by involving the villagers as family members for the cause of development is a model to the entire state. "Let the same concept of village stay be observed in various other districts too," he added.
"This programme has opened my eyes. The problems prevailing in villages can be solved through such programmes. The departments will be active in supporting such initiatives," he said.
Lauding minister for ports, fisheries and inland water transport S Angara, Eshawarappa said, "Angara is a sincere party worker and a role model to politicians across the state."
He also said that he was committed to fulfill the long-pending demand of development of four roads in Kombaru.
On the occasion, Eshwarapp released a handbook on village stay held at Madappadiyalli.
In his address, Angara said, "Sullia assembly constituency consists of several rural areas. Construction of roads and bridges is a prominent demand of these rural areas. After checking the availability of funds, development will be done in stages. The grants from local administration are not sufficient to develop the roads in rural areas. Hence, measures have been taken to develop roads after upgrading them to PWD roads by bringing more grants for the purpose. The village stay programme organised by the journalists is one which will create awareness about our democratic system. Such programmes should be organised in more numbers."
Zilla panchayat CEO Meenakshi Shanthigodu, Kadaba taluk panchayat president Rajeshwari Kanyamangala, vice-president Jayanthi R Gowda, ZP member P P Varghese, assistant commissioner Dr Yathish Ullal, Kadaba tahsildar Ananth Shankar, Maharashtra Kannadiga Journalists' Assosiation president Rons Bantwal, Karnataka Working Journalists' Union state executive member R Ravikumar, Jaganath Shetty Bala and others were present.
DKDWJU president Shrinivas Indaje welcomed. Journalist Lokesh Perlampady compered.
Bantwal
K S Eshwarappa on Sunday also inaugurated Narikombu and Sarapadi multi-village drinking water project undertaken at a cost of RS 62 lac at B C Road in Bantwal taluk.
Addressing the gathering, Eshwarappa said, "Very soon, foundation stone will be laid to provide drinking water to Mangaluru at a cost of Rs 140 crore and to Bantwal at Rs 60 crore.
"Under the 'Jala Gange' scheme water will be provided to every house in the state in the next three years. The union government has sanctioned Rs 800 crore under Employment Guarantee Scheme. It would help to increase 100 man days to 150 man days," he informed.
He also lauded chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and state unit president of BJP Nalin Kumar Kateel.
Taking dig at former chief minister Siddaramaiah and former minister B Ramanatha Rai, Eshwarappa said, "They needlessly interfered in the developmental works after waking up from slumber. People have defeated them for spilling the blood of cattle, instead of providing water to people. Though they have lost elections they have not learnt their lesson. In next elections too they will lose their deposits."
District in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary lauded MLA Rajesh Naik.
KEONICS chairman Harikrishna Bantwal, ZP president Meenakshi Shanthigodu and others were present.
Speaking to reporters, Eshawarappa said that Maharashtra chief minister was repeatedly raking the issue of border for 'popularity'.
"When a person loses popularity, he targets someone who is strong. Popularity of Maharashtra CM decreasing, so he is speaking about Karnataka border issue. Mahajan report is final with respect to the border issue,"he said.
When the scribes asked questions about Yatnal's statement on the possibility of change in chief minister, Eshwarappa did not answer. "We, including Kota Srinivas Poojary, have held a meeting today. But no other meaning can be given to that. There is no such thing as BJP loyalists and migrants in our party. It is all the creation of media."