Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Sep 16: Former Karnataka minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice president B Ramanath Rai welcomed the state government’s decision to hold a cabinet meeting in the coastal region of Udupi and Mangaluru, and urged the Centre to take concrete steps towards including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Mallikatte on Wednesday, Rai said the cabinet meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss and address key developmental issues concerning the coastal region.

Recalling the Congress party’s welfare-oriented initiatives, Rai said Dakshina Kannada was among the major beneficiaries of land reforms, particularly the Land Reforms Act, which provided ownership rights to tenant farmers. He also highlighted bank nationalisation, debt relief measures introduced during the Devaraj Urs government, waiver of electricity charges for agricultural pump sets, and regularisation of land under Bagair Hukum and Section 94C.

Rai said Dakshina Kannada, particularly Bantwal, had benefited significantly from the distribution of land titles under Section 94C. He recalled inviting former revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa to Bantwal to initiate the distribution of such titles and praised Thimmappa for his efforts for poor and landless families.

He also referred to the Congress government's welfare programmes, including pensions and housing assistance, and said his priority was to ensure that benefits meant for weaker sections reached them without difficulty.

Tulu language demand

Rai urged the BJP-led Union government and elected representatives from the coastal region to make concrete efforts to include Tulu in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

He said the demand for eighth schedule status for Tulu was longstanding and called upon the prime minister to give an assurance regarding its inclusion.

"If the prime minister gives such a commitment, Tulu will receive the recognition and respect it deserves," Rai said.

He questioned why BJP leaders, who have been raising the demand for Tulu recognition, could not use their influence at the Centre to pursue its inclusion in the eighth schedule.

Development of Dakshina Kannada

Rai highlighted several major infrastructure and institutional developments in the district, including the airport, seaport, roads, bridges, university, and regional passport office, and attributed several of these initiatives to successive Congress governments.

He said the development of the region should be viewed in its entirety rather than only through recent demands.

Rai also appealed to political parties to cooperate with the cabinet meeting instead of threatening black-flag protests or creating disruptions. He said the meeting should be utilised to secure decisions beneficial to the coastal region.

Demand for DC Manna land allocation

Rai said Scheduled Community members had been facing a long-pending issue regarding DC Manna lands. He said former minister Kagodu Thimmappa had earlier taken decisions concerning the matter and that discussions had also been held at the deputy commissioner's office.

Rai said he would submit a memorandum to chief minister Siddaramaiah seeking an early decision on the allocation of DC Manna lands to poor and marginalised communities.

Financial support for Daiva Aradhane workers

Rai said traditional workers associated with Daiva Aradhane, including Chaakri workers, Paaddana singers, and drum beaters, required financial and social security.

He said a memorandum seeking a monthly stipend or pension under the honorarium category had been prepared and would be submitted to the chief minister.

According to Rai, the proposed assistance could be provided through funds available with the religious endowments (Muzrai) department rather than requiring a fresh allocation from the state budget.

Praja Soudha and coastal development

Rai said the construction of the Praja Soudha DC office complex in Mangaluru was one of his dreams during his tenure and expressed satisfaction that the cabinet meeting was now being held in the same building.

He recalled the administrative and legal efforts involved in obtaining clearances for the project, including proceedings related to forest-designated land and the National Green Tribunal.

Rai also welcomed the recent relaxation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions, stating that it could create opportunities for coastal infrastructure and tourism development. He said reduced distance norms from the high-tide line would facilitate development along the coast.

Rai said the cabinet meeting in the coastal region should be welcomed beyond political differences and urged the government to use the opportunity to take decisions addressing the region's long-pending demands.