Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Aug 8: Former MLA Vijaykumar Shetty on Monday August 8 came down heavily on district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar for the latter's rejection of a project that was supposed to have been a solution to problems of sea erosion.
Addressing a press meet, Shetty said that the number of victims being devoured by sea erosion has been on the increase, but the administration has done nothing so far. The Asian Developent Bank had also sanctioned loan to the government to find a permanent solution. A tender was called at the international level, and among six companies, ASR, a New Zealand-based company came forward and submitted a tender application.
But the project which would have been a boon to the district, was turned down by Palemar, who sent a letter of rejection to the government, said Vijaykumar Shetty.
"Palemar entered politics with the intention of achieving selfish objectives. Every project approved by the government for DK district is scrutinised by Palemar who takes a decision to his personal advantage," he alleged.
The blueprint of the much-awaited 'Mangala Corniche' (Ring Road) of the district was prepared after many years' effort. But Krishna Palemar has entered into some kind of understanding with engineer Dharmaraj and is trying to see that the ring road passes through his acres of land in Adyar-Kannur which he purchased for lesser price. To increase the value of his land, he is trying to manipulate the blueprint of the project, and as a result the ring road will be in the shape of an ‘L’, Shetty alleged.
The former MLA further said there were allegations on the minister that he took bribe of Rs 25 crore from mining tycoons in Belekeri mining scam, and that Palemar was also the reason for Lokayukta’s resignation. However in the final report of theLokayukta, Palemar’s name is missing, he noted.
Congress leaders Lancelot Pinto, MLA U T Khader, former mayor K Ashraf, Shashidhar Hegde, Mohammed Badruddin, T K Sudhir, Denis D’Silva, corporator Navin D’Souza among others were present.