Mangaluru: CM Siddaramaiah inaugurates D.K. District administrative center ‘Praja Soudha’
engages in heated exchange with BJP MLA Kamath
Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday inaugurated the Dakshina Kannada District Magistrate’s Office Complex, officially named ‘Praja Soudha’, constructed at Padil in Mangaluru. The inauguration was attended by Speaker U.T. Khader, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, and several other dignitaries.
In the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah engaged in a sharp exchange with Mangaluru South BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath over claims made during the latter’s speech. Kamath, who spoke before the Chief Minister, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Smart City project, calling it the PM’s dream, and suggested that the new developments would not have materialized without the Centre’s involvement.
He also expressed frustration that efforts made during the BJP government's tenure, especially regarding the stalled Urva Sports Complex project and the issuance of right certificates to over 690 families in 2023 were being ignored. Kamath criticized Congress workers for allegedly installing unauthorized banners across the city to welcome the Chief Minister, while earlier, flexes put up for traditional local events like Kola, Nema, and Bhajana Mangalotsavas were reportedly removed under rule enforcement.
Kamath also condemned what he called the political appropriation of development projects by the Congress, urging the ruling party not to politicize public welfare issues.
In a strong rebuttal, CM Siddaramaiah responded directly to Kamath’s statements, warning against the distortion of history and the politicization of development. “Mr. Kamath, I consider myself fortunate to have performed the puja for this building and to inaugurate it today. You said Smart City is PM Modi’s dream. Yes, but do you know that the state government also contributes 50 percent of the funding for Smart City projects? The foundation stone for this project was laid in 2015. You were in power for four years. Why didn’t your government complete this project then? If the funds had been utilized then, it wouldn’t have taken so long,” Siddaramaiah asserted.
He credited senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai for the realization of ‘Praja Soudha’, stating that Rai had persistently demanded a new office for the district administration. “Ramanath Rai was the one who insisted on this project. Know your history. Don’t distort it. Let’s do politics, but not in the realm of development,” Siddaramaiah said, drawing cheers from party workers present at the venue.
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to appeal for peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada district. “Ours is a garden of peace for all communities, a society where humans love one another. Let’s strengthen this spirit and move toward social justice. Let’s ensure that no communal tensions arise in this district, which is home to some of the most intelligent people in the state,” he said.
Fulfilling pre-election promises, Siddaramaiah announced that a new medical college has been sanctioned for Puttur. A 250-bed hospital is already under construction, and an additional 250.
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Rupee slumps 25 paise to all-time low of 88.53 against US dollar
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 25 paise to an all-time intraday low of 88.53 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, as headwinds like enhanced US tariffs on Indian goods, as well as the US H-1B Visa fee hike, dented investor sentiments.
Forex traders said that global risk aversion and trade policy uncertainty have also exacerbated the rupee's depreciation.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 88.41, then lost further ground and touched an intraday low of 88.53 against the US dollar, registering a decline of 25 paise over its previous close.
On Monday, the rupee depreciated by 12 paise to close at 88.28 against the US dollar.
Forex traders said the rupee is dwindling towards record low levels as market participants are analysing the likely repercussions of the US's new USD 100,000 H-1B visa levy, which could precipitate a slowdown in remittance growth and curtail service exports to the US.
Moreover, risk aversion in domestic markets may also pressure the rupee, they said.
"The RBI has been the only dollar provider with some small inflows on account of IPOs of Rs 7,500 crore being launched this week, but getting absorbed by the large buying of dollars.
"The RBI, however, has limited direct currency intervention, thus allowing greater volatility and possible further declines in the rupee, which has made new lows against most currencies," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.03 per cent lower at 97.30.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.62 per cent lower at USD 66.16 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex fell 207.78 points or 0.25 per cent to 81,952.19 in morning trade, while the Nifty was down 68.40 points or 0.27 per cent to 25,133.95.
Meanwhile, Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 2,910.09 crore on Monday, according to exchange data.
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is leading an official delegation to the US for trade talks.
The delegation plans to hold talks with the US team to take forward discussions with a view to achieving an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
The minister will visit New York, accompanied by the special secretary in the ministry, Rajesh Agrawal, and other officials.
