Minister Khader challenges BJP leaders to write Union Ministry
Dispute on using Smart City funds for slaughterhouse
Mangaluru, October 08: “To support the sanitation driver in the city, I have given suggestions to develop slaughter houses under the Smart City Project. But the proposal is yet to get the approval from the Union Ministry of Urban Development. If they have real concerns, let the BJP elected representatives who have made it a dispute, write to the Union Ministry and stop it”, Housing and Urban Development Minister UT Khader challenged BJP leaders.
Clarifying on an allegation that Khader has given Rs 15 crore under Smart City Project for the development of the slaughter house, in a press conference here on Monday, the Minister said that when BJP was in power in the City Corporation in 2011, pro-BJP organization had taken the Kudroli slaughter house on contract for one year and said that there was no basic facility. In order to make India clean, first the cities should be cleaned, he added.
“The main objective of the Smart City Project was to maintain the cleanliness and beautification of the city. I have given my suggestion to develop the Kudroli slaughter house with an intention of ensuring healthy environment at the slaughterhouse. Being the District Minister, I have given that suggestion. The Advisory Board has City Corporation Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, District Incharge Secretary, Mayor, Opposition party leaders and Corporators. But there is no objection from them, because they are aware of the situation in the slaughterhouse. However, the BJP MP and MLAs have been creating issues. Let them write to the Centre. If the centre rejects our proposal, we don’t have any objections”, Khader clarified.
Smart City Project would be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the guidance of the Central government. In order to ensure cleanliness and beautification of the city, he had given suggestions to develop Wenlock Hospital, Mangala Stadium, Pumpwell Bus Stand, Football Stadium, 2nd and 3rd stage fishing area in the Port. There was a demand to develop the Kudroli slaughterhouse as the disposal of slaughterhouse waste had become a problem. It was planned to give a permanent solution for the problem, he said.
“I believe that some elected representatives have little experience. But I am surprised that they do not know anything. It is not fair on part of politicians to blow emotional issues out of proportions for political gains. They say funds were not given for the development of Gau Shala. But in the Smart City Project, there is no plan for developing Gau Shalas. I have developed a road leading to Pajeer Gau Shala. Let the BJP leaders write to the centre that the Gau Shala is dropped in the Smart City Project. Just speeches will not help the Smart City Project. Instead, they should work constructively”, Khader said.
No one has supported the illegal cow transportation. He was of the opinion that selling or buying of cows should not happen during nights. Police department should take action against any kind of illegal transportation. He would not interfere in this issue, he clarified.
Mayor Bhaskar K, Deputy Mayor Muhammad K, Chief Whip Shashidhar Hegde, Standing Committee presidents Naveen D’Souza and Radhakrishna, Corporators Mamatha Gatti, Sadashiva Ullal, Padmanabha Rai and others were present.
‘I’ve instructed not to remove Dasara flex, banners’
When the reporters asked that the district minister has asked the authorities not to remove flex and banners being put up in the name of Dasara festival despite a ban on plastic, Khader said that “I have informed the authorities. Dasara is the festival of the land. I have directed them not to remove the flex and banners put up for Dasara festival. They can remove the posters of politicians”, he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
