Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/DC)

Udupi, Mar 29: District-in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj on Thursday counter attacked the BJP post release of chargesheet against him and said that he has tried to fulfil all the promises made in the election manifesto.

Addressing a press meet in Udupi on March 29, Madhwaraj said that he never embarrassed his party or the people of his constituency. "But the former minister Raghupati Bhat has shown his true colour instead of working for the benefit of his people. Through releasing the chargesheet, the BJP has been making false allegations against me,”

“Most of the promises made in the vision 2025 manifesto of the UPA government have been fulfilled. Remaining promises will be fulfilled in the coming 7 years. In 2013, when UPA was in power Oscar Fernandes was the minister and there was a hope that funds will be granted to my constituency. Since the government was changed in the centre, fulfilment of promises is delayed due to non-cooperation and non-release of funds,” he added.

Madhwaraj counter-attacked the BJP on all the allegations made against him. "Rs 132.26 lacs for Ayush hospital Rs 30 lacs for canteen, KMF Nandini Milk Centre and Hopcoms complex (civic amenities), Rs 15 lacs for TB Ward renovation and other projects, Rs 85 lacs for crematorium, Rs 36.32 lacs for water and sanitary system as well as building repairs, construction of guest house for doctors, nurses and D group employees have been spent for the people of the district,” he informed.

Speaking about the hospital meant for women and children, Madhwaraj said, "In this hospital, pregnant women used to face inconvenience due to shortage of beds. Hence I brought this issue to the notice of CM and health minister. In collaboration with NRI businessman B R Shetty, a hospital was built in dedication to Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdulla Maternity and Children’s Hospital near Chittaranjan Circle in Udupi, where medical treatment is completely free. The out-patient service is running already and the inpatient service will begin in a month. This is first high-tech government hospital in India,” he said.

“The four-lane work is delayed due to issues related to land acquisition and shortage of economic resources. The first phase four-lane road construction of Udupi-Ambagilu-Manipal route is in process at the estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. In the last four years of NDA rule, four-laning of Parkala-Manipal-Malpe road is yet to begin. This is a failure of MP Shobha Karandlaje,” he added.

“Construction of post-graduation centre was not possible since a team from Mangaluru varsity gave a report that the land meant was not suitable. Hence it was shifted to Belapu in Kaup. Construction of Uppoor GTTC is underway at the cost of Rs 44 crores. It will create jobs for the youth,” he said.

Most of the multi-village drinking water schemes in Udupi are in tender process and work will begin in few days, he said.

Due to efforts made by the minister for the first time in the state sand from the district is not transported to other parts of the state. “Sand mafia is under control in Udupi and I have also requested the centre to allow sand mining in CRZ areas.” he said.

“For the benefit of fishermen, the subsidy amount has been directly transferred to the accounts of beneficiaries to maintain transparency. In the year 2013-14 centre has released Rs 16.74 crores and Rs 12.90 crores by the state government for third phase work of Malpe Fishing Harbour,” he said.

“The compensation to the kin of deceased fishermen has been increased to Rs 6 lacs from Rs 2 lacs.

“Since there was no demand for any new schools and colleges, no educational institution has been opened. But ITI College in Kokkarne has been sanctioned.” he informed.

Countering the BJP for targeting his government for frequent transfer of officers, Madhwaraj said that Raghupati Bhat and his government too were involved in frequent transfers. “Bhat had made educational officer Manjunathayya as his EO of taluk panchayat when he was in power.” he charged.

“Yeddyurappa had kept Rs 1 crore for the monorail. Where did the money go? When UPA was in power, Veerappa Moily, the petroleum minister, had implemented a project Dabhol pipeline. It was stopped following the formation of new BJP government,” he said.

He also challenged Raghupati Bhat to release documents to prove corruption charges against him.

“In the last five years of our governance, no new agriculture college has been sanctioned anywhere in Karnataka. But if there is a proposal for the same in the future, then the first agriculture college will definitely come up in Brahmavar as assured by minister Krishna Byre Gowda.” he said.

“A mini Vidhana Soudha will be constructed in 6 acres of government land. A stadium will come up in Brahmavar Gandhi maidan for which Rs 75 lacs have been already sanctioned. Earlier Raghupati Bhat did not consider the land claiming it be belonging to defence department,” he added.

Regarding State Assembly election, he said, “By the grace of God and by the blessings of people, I will win with majority of votes against the BJP. I have direct contact with people of Udupi, like my father and mother,”

“I never said that I would join BJP. I do not want to betray Congress party, even in my dream. AICC president Rahul Gandhi definitely will come to power in 2019. Until then no one should question against 2025 vision.” he said.

Reacting to T J Abraham’s allegations, he said, “Who is he to give deadline to me. I have applied for RTI in Delhi for getting more information on him. I have directed my advocate to collect information. It takes 2-3 days more to get RTI details and the court requires certain documents to file defamation case against him,” 

“T J Abraham is from Bengaluru, how could he know about me?  Moreover, in certain case the Supreme Court fined Rs 25 lacs on him for wasting precious court time. How people can trust such person? He is nothing,” he concluded.

Janardhan Thonse, District Congress president, Narasimha Murthy, Urban Development authority president, Satish Amin Padukere, Block Congress president Udupi, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Chief Secretary of Block Congress Udupi, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, CMC president were present.