Dubai: System of Common Entrance Tests (CET) will Soon be Scrapped – Minister Palemar

By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (MR)

• Promises support for entrepreneurs from Dubai at Janaspandana programme

Dubai, Dec 19: Karnataka State Fisheries and Port Minister, J Krishna Palemar who hails from Mangalore was all glee as he met his statemates and townmates in the Janaspandana programme organized in Dubai on Thursday, December 18 in the evening at the Al Mas Residence in Dubai.

The event was organized as a face to face meeting with the Karnataka people residing in Dubai including a kind of ‘question and answer’ session with the purpose of answering the problems faced by the people in the state.

Minister Palemar was quite forthcoming in his replies as he tackled one question after another although awkwardly at some times.  However, Palemar looked supremely confident and said that the State government was determined to uplift the cause of the people.

The useful interaction with the minister for the Karnataka expatriates was an interesting affair initiated by Prabhakar Ambalthere of Ambalthere Vision.  The response was encouraging with so many varied queries put to the minister one after another.

As the evening started after the lighting of the deepa by prominent guests, the minister highlighted the progress by the BJP government over the last six months.  Palemar is in his second stint as the MLA and has already served six months as the minister in the current government.  He was sad that the recent communal clashes in Mangalore were organized by irresponsible elements and confirmed that the relations between all communities in Mangalore were fine.  He said that he had met the leading Christian leaders including the Bishop of Mangalore catholic diocese and emphasized the need for harmony at all levels.  Palemar said most of the people in Mangalore have studied in christian schools and there was no reason for any enmity of any kind.

As the Port Minister, Palemar revealed that the 10 ports in the coastal region would all be privatized sooner than later.  On an experimental basis, Karwar port is in the process of being handed over to the private entities that will take over the running of the port and develop the infrastructure.  He also said that there was an all round 24 hour vigil around the ports in view of the threat of terrorists in the country.  Terrorism, in general, was under control in the state he mentioned.

He called on the Dubai expatriates to come forward with their proposals for business dealing in the State and assured full cooperation.  One of the entrepreneurs in the tomato ketchup business from Dubai said that he would be keen to use the excess tomato waste in the state to set up a profitable venture for which the minister promised all support. 

Yet another prominent businessman of Dubai, James Mendonca of Reliable Fabricators said that he was finding it difficult to get suitable skilled staff from Karnataka for his factory.  Palemar said that there were about 105 new ITI institutions being newly set up in the state which would meet the shortage of technical personnel.

This is Palemar’s fourth visit to Dubai but first as a minister in the state government.  But Palemar looks very confident in his position and also determined to fulfil all that is expected of him.  He is in Dubai accompanied by his assistants and personal secretaries.

Palemar has spent plenty from his own funds to ensure that he succeeds as a minister.  Earlier he used to travel business class as a businessman but today, he travels in economy class despite being a minister so that he does not misuse the people’s money.  He also said that there were atleast 9 staff working for him at his own personal cost in his office to ensure a smooth running of all his affairs.

As the useful evening ended, Palemar also said that the CET entrance tests for engineering and medical students would soon come to an end and there will be no more exams of such nature. 

This was a nice initiative on the part of Ambalthere Vision and probably the first of its kind.  More such meetings are in the pipeline if there are results coming out from this.

Minister Palemar dressed in his trademark all white outfit looked pretty cool and collected as he wound up the evening with a confident smile and sentiment that all Karnataka expatriates were welcome in Mangalore to venture and profit complete with his wholehearted support.

A seasoned businessman before he became a minister, Palemar has been active in Mangalore trying his best to satisfy everyone from his constituency.  He is also the minister in charge of the district which means his responsibilities swell when it comes to the development of the district.  His areas include the Dakshina Kannada district and also Kodagu district.

Minister Palemar exudes confidence and also embraces his political rivals from all sides as he moves in his aim to improve the pathetic conditions of the districts under him.  He agrees that the roads are in a sad state but asks for time to put them back in good condition.  He also emphasizes that he expects expatriates from the Gulf to come to the state and open new industries which will be a great boost for Mangalore especially.

There are well laid plans in the minister’s mind.  Before it is too late, he has to ensure that everything falls in place so that next time around when he goes asking for the votes there will be nothing but victory for the minister.