Mangaluru: District Minister In-charge B Ramanath Rai held a press meet at the Circuit House here, on August 3.
Addressing the mediapersons, Ramanath Rai said that the Shiradi Ghat stretch will be opened for vehicle movement from August 10. On August 9, senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes will visit the Shiradi Ghat to inspect the road work. On August 10, the inauguration of the Shiradi Ghat road will be held.
He further said, “I had discussions with the officials of Public Works Department about the completion of the work at Shiradi Ghat and they had assured to complete it by the first week of August. According to their assurance, they have completed their work. Road sign boards will be installed, shoulders of the road will be filled and other minor work that is pending will be completed before August 9.”
When asked about the two-wheeler movement on the Shiradi Ghat stretch, Rai said that the stretch will be opened for the movement of both light and heavy vehicles.
When asked about why justice has not been done with Sundara Malekudiya, who was attacked with a weed-clearing machine and has lost four fingers of his right hand, Rai replied that whoever was involved in the crime, will be punished severely. “The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah is very much concerned about the poor and the marginalized. The Congress government has implemented many schemes for such people. Police are investigation the case and the culprit will surely be punished. There is no political support for the culprit,” he said.
When asked about the suicide of farmers, Rai said that in Dakshina Kannada the co-operative societies are very strong and they provide loan to the farmers with a reasonable interest rate. When the co-operative societies become weak, the farmers go to the money lenders for loan, which is one of the strong reasons that push the farmers to commit suicide.
When asked what measures the Forest Ministry has taken to protect the people and property from wild elephants creating havoc in some districts, Rai said that the department has taken all measures and has already shifted 22 wild elephants to the camp in Aloor.
DC A B Ibrahim, Mayor Jacintha Alfred, Deputy Mayor Purushotam and others were also present.