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.
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Rajeev Chandrasekhar accuses LDF, UDF of backing Iran over Keralites in Gulf
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday hit out at both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-led UDF, saying that their reactions to the recent conflict in West Asia show that they are supporting Iran rather than standing with the people of Kerala living in the Gulf countries.
He accused both fronts of "playing politics" in the name of religion and appeasement ahead of State Assembly elections, rather than taking a clear stand on the crisis.
It is "surprising" that the Left Democrat Front and United Democratic Front are "supporting" Iran -- which is attacking Gulf countries that economically sustain Kerala and are considered a second home by Keralites, Chandrasekhar said in a statement here.
The BJP leader said Keralites, many of whom depend on jobs in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, are anxious about the situation.
He underlined that the first priority should be the safety and security of expatriate workers and their families, not political gains.
His statement comes a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the United States was displaying "hooliganism" against Iran and accused it of taking "irrational" actions that undermine the sovereignty of nations.
The Congress has also "unequivocally" condemned the targeted assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and said no external power has the authority to engineer a regime change, as such actions amount to imperialism and are incompatible with a rules-based international order.
Chandrasekhar said that the central government is offering help and guidance to Indian citizens in the region, and urged people not to panic.
To assist those affected, the Kerala BJP has opened helpdesks in 30 district offices and launched a toll-free number -- 1800-257-4357 --for Keralites seeking information or support connected to the conflict, the statement said.
