Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi. Apr 11: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, April 11, announced a Rs 5 crore grant to the Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple from the Muzarai department. Speaking at a function after participating in the Sri Brahma Kumbhabhisheka at the temple as requested by the Mogaveera Sangha the government would provide a grant of Rs 5 crore to the temple. 

He said government will extend the ‘Raitha Vidya Nidhi’ scholarship scheme for children of weavers and fishermen families this year.

The chief minister complimented the Central Government’s programme to make fishing a profitable vocation adding that the Karnataka government would provide 100 deep sea fishing boats for fishermen of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts with the 40% of the cost borne by the Centre while 10% would be invested by the fishermen. “Life of fishermen is adventurous but uncertain,” he said.

He said the government would call for applications from fishermen for the Matsya Siri in the next month and announced that fishermen will get a diesel subsidy for the entire 10-month season. Hostel facilities would be provided for students from fishermen's families by the Social Welfare department.

The chief minister said desilting work would be taken up at eight ports to improve fishing facilities.Chief Minister Bommai also announced that 5,000 houses would be built for fishermen under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme. He stressed the importance of women in the economic development of the State. Bommai said, “An anchor Bank would be set up at a cost of Rs 500 crore linked to the Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs).

They would be provided loan up to Rs 1.50 lakh to take up economic activities to realise the State government’s objective of women empowerment.” The chief minister said the percentage of recovery of loans in SHGs was 95% Apart from this, he said, “Mahalakshmi does not just mean money, but the goddess is a powerhouse, an inspiration and a motivator who helps us in reaching our goals through Sankalpa. Hence, I am fortune to be a devotee of her. If all work together nothing is impossible,” he added. 

Nadoja Dr G Shankar  and president of Brahmakalasha Punyotsava committee and Sri Mahalakshmi Temple Uchila delivered the keynote address. He put forth major demands in his address including urging the government to liberalise  norms to obtain loans for fishermen,  He urged the government to announce a grant of Rs 150 crore towards the integrated development of fisheries community and also provide loan on zero interest among many others. Transport minister B Sriramulu, Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Minister of state for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport S Angara,  Kannada and Culture Minister Sunil Kumar,

Minister of Social Welfare Department and Backward Classes Welfare Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Lalaji R Mendon, Sukumar Shetty Byndoor, Y Bharat Shetty and Vedavyasa Kamath, president, Mangaluru Urban were also present on the occasion.  Office-bearers of the Uchila temple renovation committee including its Jaya C Kotian Bellampalli, president of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahajana sangha Gundu B Amin, and Vasudeva Salian among others were also present.

Bommai inaugurates Bannanje Govindacharya Memorial digital Library

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated the Dr. Bannanje Govindacharya Memorial Digital Library here. He said, "The Library should serve as a  centre of imparting knowledge and spirituality."

Bommai also unveiled a bronze statue of Dr Bannanje Govindacharya.

"Science and spirituality are the two faces of the same coin. There is philosophy behind every science. This library has many dimensions which includes a children's reading section, spiritual, philosophical, competitive examinations book collection and digital segments," Bommai said.

He urged the children to make proper use of the newly launched 'Mukhyamantri Magadarshi' programme which provides training for those interested to take up competitive exams for various services.

Sri Vushwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math and Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Kaniyur math graced the occasion and blessed the occasion.

S Angara, Minister for fisheries, Port and Inland water transport and district In-charge Udupi, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Minister for Social welfare and Backward classes development, Sunil Kumar, Minister for Fuel and Kannada and Culture department, Raghupati Bhat, MLA Udupi, Manjunath Bhandary, MLC, Kurma Rao, deputy commissioner, Dr Naveen Bhat Y, CEO, Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, president, Coastal Development Authority, Manohar Kalmady, president, Udupi Urban Development Authority, Sumithra Nayak, president Udupi CMC, Vinay Bhushan, son of Late Dr Bannanje Govindacharya and others were present.

Chief Minister Bommai also visited Sri Krishna temple along with other ministers and received blessings from the  Paryaya Swamiji Sri Vidyasagara Theertha of Krishnapur math.

'Beach, temple tourism will witness boom soon' 

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said beach tourism and Temple Tourism are likely to witness huge growth opportunities in the coming days.

Speaking after inaugurating the Dr V S Acharya Bus stand (bay) built by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Monday, April 11 at Bannanje here, he said a representation has been made to the Centre to bring about changes in the CRZ regulations to further develop growth and develop tourism in the coastal region including Mangaluru, Udupi and Karwar.

The chief minister lauded the honesty of late Dr V S Acharya in public life. He said Dr Acharya was an ideal for others to follow for honesty and probity in public life.

He recalled the services of the late minister in ensuring development during his days as a member of the municipality council. The chief minister said Dr Acharya had accorded top priority to good governance, efficiency and  cleanliness during his reign. The late minister created his own benchmark in administration during his period as MLA, Bommai said. 

“If people and the department maintain cleanliness of the KSRTC bus stand, it would be a befitting honour to V S Acharya,” the chief minister said. Bommai also announced that two multiplex complexes would come up in KSRTC bus stand in Udupi soon.  

Priority on comprehensive plan of Udupi district 

The chief minister said, “Udupi is a developing city. A comprehensive plan to develop Udupi district remains on top of priority and the primary objective for the State government. Work has started on construction of a 250-bed hospital. A medical college and hospital under the PPP model would also come up in the coming days. We have directed an organisation to prepare a DPR on the same,” he said.  

A DPR for drinking water supply and underground drainage projects have been drawn for which approval has been given. Fishing and tourism too would get a boost, the chief minister announced. Once tourism gets the boost, revenue will improve, Bommai said. 

Transport Minister Sriramulu said, 'the department will reappoint the KSRTC staff who were suspended for striking work. He said the chief minister Bommai has sanctioned Rs 3000 crore towards payment of salaries to the employees.

Sriramulu said KSRTC is a service-oriented corporation and is not working towards making a profit adding that the state government had managed to quell the KSRTC Employees' protest demanding higher wages.

The minister said the transport department will fill up all the existing vacant posts soon. Chief minister and guests handed over silver medals to KSRTC drivers, who had a track record of zero accidents in their service. 

Ministers S Angara, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Sunil Kumar, MLA Raghupati Bhat, MLC Manjunath Bhandary, Deputy Commissioner Kurma Rao, ZP CEO Dr Naveen Bhat Y,  KSRTC divisional controller S N Arun, KSRTC Commission president M Chandrappa, Coastal Development Authority president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, Udupi Urban development authority president Manohar Kalmady, CMC president Sumithra Nayak, and others were also present.