Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 20: Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to allocate special funds for the development of Udupi constituency in the upcoming state budget and to facilitate the continuation of Tulunadu’s religious traditions.

In his appeal, MLA Suvarna highlighted the need for a special grant to improve the infrastructure of Udupi district’s schools, which have consistently performed well in the education sector. He also requested an additional Rs 48.36 cr for the operationalization of the new district hospital building, funds for the maintenance of the mother and child hospital, and subsidies for diesel and kerosene supply to support the fishing industry.

Other key demands included port development and dredging, the introduction of a sea ambulance service, extending agricultural loan benefits to fishermen, implementing a permanent solution for coastal erosion, reserving Rs 500 cr for the Narayana Guru Development Corporation, and allocating Rs 25 cr for disaster relief. Additionally, Suvarna sought up to Rs 5 lac in compensation for houses damaged by heavy rains, the establishment of an agricultural college at the Brahmavar Agriculture Centre, expansion of government bus services, construction of sports complexes, and a tourist bungalow in Brahmavar.

Further, he called for a government medical college in Udupi, a special grant of Rs 25 crore for the Paryaya festival, the development of the Mannapalla lake, financial support for the traditional Kambala sport, approval for an additional sub-divisional office in Udupi city, and the formulation of a separate sand policy for coastal Karnataka to resolve ongoing sand-related issues.

MLA Suvarna also brought to the chief minister’s attention the stringent district administration regulations imposed on traditional religious practices such as Kambala, Yakshagana, Nemotsava, Nagamandala, and Daivaradhane. These rules, particularly those concerning the ritual sacrifice in the form of cock fight, have created difficulties in conducting these cultural celebrations. In response, chief minister Siddaramaiah assured that necessary steps would be taken to facilitate the smooth continuation of these religious traditions.