NMPT gets first place among 13 ports for cleanliness
‘The port registers Rs 190.55 crore net profit in 2017-18’
Mangaluru, July 31: Nava Mangaluru Port Trust (NMPT) president MT Krishna Babu said that after paying Rs 124.81 crore tax, the port has recorded a net profit of Rs 190.55 crore during 2017-18 financial year.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Krishna Babu said that during 2017-18, the port had handled 42.06 million metric tons goods, which is 5.28 per cent more compared to 2016-17.
First place in cleanliness
The NMPT has got the first place among 13 ports in the country under the swachh Bharat campaign for cleanliness. From the solar power generation units adopted in the NMPT, total 840 kv power was being generated due to which, more than 95 per cent of the total power demand of the port was being supplied from solar energy. This project was considered under the Swachh Bharat campaign, he said.
During 2017-18, total 24,258 people have visited through 22 ships and in 2016-17, total 30,246 had visited through 28 ships. Compared to this year, last year had more visitors and ships. The NMPT has handled 23.719 lakh tons iron ore, 23.999 lakh tons processed iron ore, 41.717 lakh tone coal, 17.434 lakh tons through containers and 22.09 lakh ton LPG. Compared to last year, this year the quantity of coal being supplied from Udupi Power Plant and crude oil to MRPL has come down. Comprehensively, progress was achieved in goods transport, he said.
Sand from Malaysia
As per the decision to import sand from Malaysia in order to curb sand mining in the district, total 1.50 lakh ton sand was imported from Malaysia during 2017-18, he said.
Two mechanized berths to be completed in 2019
The construction of two mechanized berths would be completed in 2019. Currently, the berth number 16 was being developed in private-public partnership, he said.
Steps to cut down expenses
The NMPT has taken steps to cut down the goods transportation and port expenses. With the cutting of additional payment to workers other than their salaries, the burden on the customers of the port would come down. Steps would be taken to give only salary to the workers of the port, he said.
Project for connecting road, railway line
A project report was prepared to develop a connecting road and a railway line to transport the goods inside the port. Under this programme, existing facilities would be upgraded. In 2017-18, the NMPT has spent Rs 2,60,66,000 for CSR funds to invest for community and public works, Krishna Babu said.
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Siddaramaiah tells Centre not to punish Karnataka for being progressive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday underlined the need for justice in the devolution of taxes.
He said no one should milk a milch cow completely, or else the calf would be malnourished.
Addressing people on the occasion of the 69th state formation day at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here, Siddaramaiah said there is injustice happening to Karnataka.
The state is contributing more than Rs four lakh crore as revenue to the Centre and it is the second largest contributor to the Central tax revenue after Maharashtra, he pointed out.
"Even though we give more than Rs four lakh crore, we are only getting Rs 55,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore. Kannadigas should know this. We are getting 14 to 15 per cent only of our contribution," the chief minister said.
Under the federal system, there should not be any injustice just because Karnataka is a progressive state, he observed.
"Just because a milch cow is giving milk, we should not milk it completely. We should leave some milk for the calf too or else it will malnourish. This no one should ever forget," Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister emphasised taking pride in Kannada and bringing it in daily use as much as possible.
Stating that Karnataka has people speaking more than 200 languages, Siddaramaiah said, whatever language people speak here or whichever caste or religion they belong to, they all are Kannadigas. Those who consume the air, water and food are Kannadigas, he told the gathering.
He said Kannada is a very old language with a history of 7,000 years. Hence, the Centre too recognised it as a classical language.
Siddaramaiah appealed to the people that they should never sacrifice Kannada language.
"I don't oppose being liberal. I in fact endorse being liberal but not at the cost of sacrificing our language," the chief minister noted.
"Our affection for our language should not be extreme, but we should never give up our pride for our language. We all should be Kannada lover," he added.
For Kannada to grow, people living here must become Kannadigas, Siddaramaiah said.
"I will never say not to learn any other language. Keep enhancing your linguistic wealth but never forget speaking in Kannada," he told people.
He reminded people that November 1 is not only the state formation day but also the anniversary of Mysore state getting the name of Karnataka by the then chief minister, late D Devaraj Urs.
A cultural programme themed around 'Hesarayithu Karnataka, Usiragali Kannada' (the state got the name Karnataka, now Kannada should become the breath) was held on the occasion.
