Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 26: The district Congress has sent a proposal to the state government urging to shift the office of the deputy commissioner (DC) from State Bank to Alape-Padil, said MLC Ivan D'Souza in a press meet here on Tuesday, August 26.
The purpose is to decongest the city, he added.
Addressing reporters, Ivan D'Souza said that district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, ministers and the MLAs are party to the proposal. For this purpose, 5.89 acres of land has already been identified in Alape-Padil, Ivan said.
He further said that in the last budget the state government had released Rs 135 crore to construct separate DC offices in as many as six districts in the state. The Congress leaders of the district had requested the state to include Dakshina Kannada district in the list, Ivan said. The state government has allotted Rs 25 crore to each of these districts.
The DC's building, if it comes up in the district, will include offices of more than 25 various departments under one roof. It is planned with the aim to develop even the outskirts of the city, he added.
He also said that the construction of Rang Mandir, which was proposed years ago but failed several deadlines, would be taken up again at a budget of Rs 25 crore. "Besides, the district Congress has also requested the administration to construct a cricket standium in the outskirts of the city. The construction work to build Abbakka Bhavan will start in Thokkottu at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore," he said, explaining the overall plans mooted by the district Congress unit.
Ivan D'Souza said that he was happy that the flight between Kuwait-Mangalore was being resumed and said that it was the first issue he raised after he was nominated to the state legislative council.
Ivan D'Souza also seconded the proposal of MLA J R Lobo to grant holiday on the Feast of Nativity which falls on September 8. "It is a family feast, hence holiday is necessary," he said.
Shashidhar Hegde, Kodijal Ibrahim, mayor Mayabala Marla were among others present at the press meet.
'BJP ideology does not suit secular India'
Earlier, the Congress leaders led by MLC Ivan D'Souza celebrated the victory of Congress in the by-elections in four states including Karnataka.
On the occasion, Ivan said, "The people have supported the Congress and rejected the ideology of the BJP that is not suitable to our secular India."
The participants burst crackers and cheered for the Congress party.