Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Nov 16: “The BJP-led state government is only thinking to snatch money from the public's pockets. The every decision taken by the government will trouble the public and increase their burden,” said MLA U T Khader.

Speaking to media on Wednesday November 16, he said, “We condemn the state government’s decision to increase milk price by Rs 3 per litre. The Karnataka Milk federation is a part of the government. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has not withdrawn the decision of increasing the prices. He has only issued the statement that a decision will be taken soon.

“Since the BJP government took over, nothing useful has come from them. During Siddaramaiah’s time, dairy farmers used to earn Rs 38 per litre. The price has never increased nor has the subsidy. But for the public, the price hike has become a burden now.

“The government needs to clarify about the increase in milk price. The decision of price hike needs to be withdrawn,” he said.

Over the voters’ ID correction, he said, “The voters now can verify and object regard their name in the voters’ list. The concerned officials need to take measures to include every voters’ name in the voters’ list and not to deny youngsters a chance to exercise their franchise. As per the Election Commission guidelines, Aadhar card in not mandatory for the name inclusion in voters’ list, but local officials demand Aadhar card. This is nothing but denying youngsters their right to vote. Regarding deletion of 16,000 voters name in my constituency, I will verify it from the concerned officials.”

Regard to the Surathkal toll gate issue, Khader said, “The toll gate has not been scraped, but it has been merged. This is the success of Mangaluru public. Those who did not raise voice against the toll gate in the assembly, are now taking political mileage after its merger. The central government has issued the notification. Now the deputy commissioner (DC) needs to form rules regard the toll gate. The merger of Surathkal toll gate to Hejmady one affects the people of Mulky-Moodbidri constituency.”

Replying to MLA Dr Bharath Shetty statement on what Khader did when he was a minister, Khader said, “I do not want to react to his statement. But being in respectable position, he should show some maturity.

“When I was the minister, I was the first one to hold meeting with the DC and concerned officials regarding the toll gate. What have they done in the last 8 years?

“When people were protesting day and night, where were the elected representatives? Why did they not respond to them? In 2013, the BJP MP was in power, why did he not raise his voice then?

“I also urge that there should be exemption for KA 19 vehicles at Hejmady toll gate, a lesser toll charge for vehicles without increasing the existing charge,” he said.