Udupi: The battle is on for the prestigious Kaup TMC, which will host polling onApril 24. Vinay Kumar Sorake (VKS), Minister for Urban Development and Minister in-charge District said that developing Kaup is only a political perspective in his exclusive interview with the correspondents of Mangalorean.com (M.Com).
M.Com: Sir, was there any need of creation of Town Municipality Council in Kaup?
VKS: The panchayats which are coming under the purview of Kaup TMC are collecting taxes same like town panchayats. There need to be 50% non-agricultural activities in the area which comes under TMC, and there are 70% non-agricultural activities observed in the three panchayats coming under the purview of Kaup TMC. There should be a population of 1500 within the radius of 1 Kilometer, wherein Kaup TMC the population density is 2500 per kilometer radius. Basic facilities for the people cannot be provided by the panchayat, it is only possible by town municipality or town panchayats. In the Kaup constituency, there are 28 panchayats, in which there is no town panchayat or town municipality and above all, there is a need for a center in the constituency. All these factors are considered while creating TMC in Kaup. The three panchayats which come under the purview of Kaup TMC had made the decision for the creation of TMC.
M.Com: People are in panic by the hike in taxes with the creation of TMC’s, what is your view?
VKS: The panchayats are already collecting taxes which are even more than Saligrama town panchayat. The panchayat led by BJP in the purview of Kaup TMC is collecting tax which is higher than the tax collected by Saligrama town panchayat.
M.Com: What strategy has Congress adopted for the election campaign?
VKS: Our aim is to develop Kaup and effectively serve the people, there are many projects initiated for developing Kaup as the central place in the constituency, we are meeting and consulting with the people as part of our election campaign. Our strategy is to promote development.
M.Com: Has Congress effectively selected candidates?
VKS: The candidates are selected on the basis of the reservation. The recommendations from the local leaders and party workers are collected while selecting the candidates.
M.Com: Kaup TMC election is termed as a matter of prestige to you, Vinay Kumar Sorake who is also an Urban Development Minister, will Congress win the Kaup TMC?
VKS: This election has nothing to do with prestige, the people of Kaup had formed Kaup Development Committee for the development of Kaup in 2000, they had even constructed UGD. The people have a dream of Kaup becoming a center and also a taluk. We are consulting people by presenting our developmental perspectives for Kaup during the election campaign.
M.Com: Sir, can you brief your election manifesto?
VKS: Our manifesto is covering the developmental projects initiated for Kaup and also our future developmental prospects. The election manifesto will be widely circulated in the purview of Kaup TMC.
M.Com: How actively are the Congress party workers participating in the election campaign?
VKS: We are consulting people by presenting our developmental prospects but opposition parties are busy circulating baseless rumors and allegation.
M.Com: The opposition parties are leveling an allegation saying there was better drinking water supply before the creation of TMC but after TMC was created there is no effective water supply. What are your comments?
VKS: The drinking water problem is present everywhere due to fewer rains but we will provide water to Kaup by lifting and filtering water from Manipur, for the same Rs 64 crore will be utilized.
M.Com: What are the other basic facilities that will be provided to Kaup TMC?
VKS: The Underground drainage construction work is in progress, the drainage water will be filtered and will be used to water parks. The waste management system will come up in Yellur in 10 acres of land and Rs 5 crore for the same has been released. A fund of rupees 5 crores has been released for the construction of a TMC office. Kaup is catering divine needs, graveyards and lakes will also be developed. Tourism activities at Kaup beach will be boosted. A building for Government First Grade College will be built by utilizing a grant of Rupees 1.85 crore. The government hospital will be developed using Rupees 1.50 crore. A memorandum has been submitted to the revenue department for setting up a sub-registrar office in Kaup and a memorandum is also submitted to the Education Minister for setting up a BEO office in Kaup. The pilot program of installing LED lights will also be held in Kaup, a Town Development Authority will be set up, the old Government College building will be utilized for a Polytechnic College and a proposal for which is already sent to the government. 10 acres of land has been reserved for housing sites. The land acquired by SUZLON has been asked to be transferred to housing board for the construction of a housing colony. Concrete roads are constructed at a cost of Rs 72 lakh. Rs 10 crore will be utilized for constructing roads under Nagarottana.
M.Com: Will Congress win the Kaup TMC?
VKS: If Congress comes to power in the TMC we will make every effort for the creation of Kaup taluk. There is a good political environment and we will effectively work for winning the TMC. The district leaders are actively participating in the election campaign, he added.
Brief overview on Kaup TMC
In 2015 May, the state government issued a notification to merge Uliyargoli, Mallar, and Kaup gram panchayats and make Kaup a Town Municipal Council (TMC). The total number of municipal wards in the TMC is 23. The TMC was formed with the amalgamation of Kaup and its surrounding villages. The Kaup Assembly Constituency is represented by Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who is also the Udupi district in-charge Minister. The state election commission issued notification for TMC polls in March 2016. The Kaup TMC has 16212 voters, in that 16206 are general voters and 6 are service voters. There are 23 polling stations – of which, 12 common polling boots and 11 are sensitive polling booths. A total of 10 vehicles including 2 buses, 2 mini buses, 6 maxi cabs will be used for the polling purpose.
The last date for filing nomination papers is April 12. Scrutiny will take place on April 13. The last date for withdrawal of nomination paper will be on April 17. Elections will be held on April 24. Counting of votes will be taken up at the Taluk Office Hall in Udupi on April 27.