Kʼtaka: MLAs of coastal districts seek Rs 1,000-crore special package for infrastructure development
_vb_96.jpeg)
Bengaluru: The BJP and Congress members have called on the state government to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for infrastructure development under the Karnataka Coastal Development Authority. The proposed funds would reportedly focus on rebuilding rain-affected roads, improving infrastructure, and promoting temple, beach, and eco-tourism across the three districts in a unified approach.
Additionally, the MLAs urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to declare Tulu as the official language of Karnataka by adopting a report submitted by a committee headed by Mohan Alva, founder of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidri, in the State Cabinet, as reported by The Hindu.
The debate, started by V. Sunil Kumar, highlighted ongoing challenges faced by the coastal region, emphasising the need for annual funding from the state budget, akin to the allocations made for the Kalyana-Karnataka region. He criticised the government for neglecting the coastal region’s needs.
Kumar pointed out that no allocation has been proposed in the Budget for the Paschima Vahini project for construction of vetted dams and store water flowing in west-flowing rivers of coastal districts. He added that the project was formed following concerns that the Yettinahole project would diminish water supply to coastal areas. Furthermore, he urged the government to prioritise the merger of Konkan Railway with Indian Railways and allocate funds for the development of railway stations in the coastal region.
He also voiced concerns over restrictions imposed by wildlife sanctuaries in the region, such as Kudremukh, Mookambika, and Someshwara, which have hindered locals from building homes or earning livelihoods. “The government should take delegation to the Centre to relax norms in areas around these sanctuaries,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Ashok Rai demanded increased quotas for locals in public sector units like MRPL, NMPT, and Mangaluru International Airport, the report added.
Harish Poonja pressed for the establishment of a high court bench in Mangaluru and the development of beach tourism to combat unemployment. Other key issues raised included the drug menace near educational institutions, plantation efforts on bagar-hukum lands, expanded rural transport through KSRTC, and the provision of funds for tackling diseases affecting arecanut plants.
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.
Man launches attack with iron rod inside Golden Temple in Amritsar, injures 5
Amritsar, Mar 14 (PTI): A man wielding an iron rod went on an indiscriminate rampage on Friday here at Golden Temple, injuring two 'sewadars' and three devotees, police said.
The man was seen moving in the Guru Ramdas Niwas, also called Guru Ramdas Sarai, of the Golden Temple.
According to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Secretary Partap Singh, the man turned violent when asked about his antecedents and attacked the SGPC employees and the others.
Police said the man hailed from Haryana and was handed over to them by the SGPC after the incident.
The reason behind the attack is under investigation.
The three injured devotees had come to the temple from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala, while the other two were 'sewadars' of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Partap Singh said.
One 'sewadar' and a devotee from Bathinda suffered severe head injuries.
The injured were rushed to Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital at Vallah in a critical condition.
Partap Singh said the attacker and an accomplice of his were apprehended and handed over to the police.
In his appeal to the government and law enforcement agencies, the SGPC Secretary called for no leniency in taking action against the perpetrators.
