Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi(HB)

Udupi, Mar 8: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje condemned H D Revanna for his comments against late actor Ambarish’s wife Sumalatha Ambarish.

“She is a daughter of Mandya. The entire Karnataka stood with her when she lost Ambarish. But now Revanna is making fun of her by commenting at her. Is Sumalatha is responsible for Ambarish’s demise? Is there any rule that a widow should not contest in the election? It is an insult to her,” the MP lashed out.

Addressing a press meet in Udupi after releasing a booklet on the progress in her constituency on March 8, she said that the Sumalatha came forward to do social service by joining politics. “I strongly condemn Revanna’s words and he should ask apology from Sumalatha. If she wants to join BJP, we welcome her. If she will contest independently, we will support her,” Shobha said.

The MP informed that the Lok Sabha election date will be announced in April third week. “Modi made four main promises. The first was ensuring a corruption free administration. Modi is person who stood by his words and he has no black dot during his tenure. Another promise was on development works and ensuring it will be implemented effectively. Around 11 crore families have got gas connection under Ujwala scheme,” she said.

The MP highlighted the PM’s promise on making India free from open defecation. “Modi constructed 10 crore toilets and 5.5 lac villages become open defecation free. Modi promised that he will safeguard the nation. Now other countries are welcoming Prime Minister Modi with red carpet. In four and half years, he improved India’s relations with neighbouring countries,” she said.

The surgical strike is a victory against Pakistan. Most of the countries stood with us for support including United Nations. Modi also encouraged ‘Make in India’ through preparing war weapons within India. Prime Minister also released Rs 1 lac crore for the construction of connecting roads in border area. The Union government has released Rs 11,000 crores to Karnataka government under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). But its beneficiaries did not get money. Modi government opened a separate ministry for fisheries for the first time. Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) poor people get free electricity connection.

A total allocation obtained from the Central government for Udupi district is Rs 1,87.26 crores and Rs 1,883 crores for Chikkamagaluru. Under road and connectivity, Shobha said the completed project cost of total development of NH 169 and 169A connecting Solapur – Mangaluru was done at a cost of Rs 156.18 crores. She obtained Rs 98.46 crores for the construction of Athradi-Adi Udupi national highways. Rs 9.13 crores has been released to promote and encourage beach tourism under ‘Coastal Circuit’ programme, which will benefit 6 major beaches of Udupi.

Rs 247.57 crores has been invested to electrify 7,725 and 5,771 households in Udupi and Chikmagaluru respectively. Rs 31.92 crores has been released under DDUGJY, Rs 12.3 crores under Saubhagya Yojana and Rs 28.30 crores under IPDS to Udupi. A special package of Rs 10 crores has been allotted for the overall development of fisheries in Udupi. Rs 257.13 crore was released for the overall development in the education sector through various schemes of central government. Rs 101.13 crores was sanctioned for Public education, Rs 57.9 sanctioned for Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan, Rs 7. 56 crores for Rashriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 5.38 crores for Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.

Gems and Jewellery Training Centre has been established, which is first of its kind in the country. There is full pledged PM skill development center established at Manipal for imparting training and employment generation. Foundation stone laid for the GTTC centre at Uppoor, is Rs 9.35 crore.

The country’s first Sakhi centre was founded in Udupi city. The Union government has proved free LPG connection under PM Ujwala Yojana which has given 26626 connections in Chikkamagaluru and 17901 in Udupi. With Passport Seva Kendra in Brahmavar, Udupi, as of now 7901 passports have issued within 11 months. ISPRL has built crude oil storage unit at the cost of Rs 1690 crores at Padur.

She alleged that, ‘the Karnataka government did not utilize Rs 940 crore during drought. It did not touched single penny to spend. In Bengaluru, the city MCC must spend Rs 460 crores for waste management, instead it is using it for the construction of roads, Shobha said.

Besides the progress report, she answered to media persons regarding candidates contesting from Congress. “It does not matter who will contest from Congress for Loka Sabha election. Competition for asking tickets is common in politics."

Opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA Raghupati Bhat, Geethanjali Suvarna, Prabhakar Poojary, president, BJP town, Sandhya Ramesh and others were present.