Minister Ramanath Rai Releases Book of “Sadhaneya Mooru Varshagalu”
Mangaluru: District Minister in-charge Ramanath Rai released a book on the state Congress government’s achievements in the last 3 years, “Sadhaneya Mooru Varshagalu”, at the DC office here, on May 24.
After releasing the book, Ramanath Rai said that after Congress returned to power in the state in May 2013, the Siddaramaiah government has fulfilled 85% of the promises which were mentioned in their manifesto during the elections.
Rai briefed on the development projects and schemes. In the district, 421,682 families have ration cards out of which there are 25,460 Anthyodaya, 190,563 BPL and 205,659 APL cards. Recently, 14,026 BPL and 6665 APL cards had been distributed in the district.
Under the Anna Bhagya scheme, 696,809 metric tons of rice and 143,411 metric tons of wheat were distributed to Anthyodaya card holding families. For BPL card holders, 3151.903 metric tons of rice and 777,914 metric tons of wheat has been distributed free of cost.
As promised, under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme, milk was distributed to 108,825 government school children and 69,752 aided school children. Milk is also being served to 114,069 children in 2,012 Anganwadi schools. For 4,820 girl students, scholarships amounting to Rs 22.53 lakh has been disbursed to pursue their education. Under the Bala Sanjeevini scheme, 178 children have been treated.
In Wenlock Hospital, a 50 bedded Ayush block has been sanctioned and check-up for outpatients will begin soon. As far as drinking water is concerned Rs 5.60 crore for rural areas, Rs 3.40 crore for town/city and Rs 98 lakh for the Revenue Department has been sanctioned.
Rs 295.43 lakh has been spent till March 31, 2016, for natural calamities. Under the social security scheme, 107,052 beneficiaries such as widows, elderly people, physically challenged and transgenders have been given monthly pension. Through the Revenue Adalat, 369 hearings have been organized. During the adalat, 31,951 applications were received, out of which 31,285 have been disposed of. Under the Bidai scheme, Rs 468 lakh was distributed to 936 beneficiaries. Rs 4.02 crore worth of nutritious food has been distributed to Koraga and Malekudiyas; also, an MoU had been signed with high-tech hospitals for free treatment of Koraga and Malekudiya community.
Under the third phase of Rs 100 crore projects, 169 development projects had been initiated. Under the Matsyashraya scheme, Rs 67.68 lakh has been distributed to 146 beneficiaries. In four places, work on jetties is under progress.
2,995 Endosulfan victims are receiving a monthly pension. The government has waived off Rs 30.49 crore loan with interest borrowed by 21,283 beneficiaries from SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities. This year we have increased the scholarship for Minority students who are willing to pursue their higher education in foreign countries from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 Lakh.
On April 21, the Chief Minister laid the foundation for an international level swimming pool at a cost of Rs 4.99 crore. In Belthangady and Bantwal, construction work of the Mini Vidhana Soudha is under progress. An oceanarium will be built in Pilikula and the government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore towards this.
When asked about the Yettinahole project, Rai questioned where were the protesters when the BJP government implemented the project? “What was NRSS member Satyajith doing then? When Siddaramaiah comes to Mangaluru, the protesters show black flags. What is Satyajith doing when Yeddyurappa gives statements on Yettinahole project? Was he sleeping?” Rai also said, “I have worked for the betterment of the people in my political career. When the CM called for a meeting, the protesters did not come for discussion. Is the festival bigger than Yettinahole for them? If the festival is the priority, then let them sit at home, why are they even fighting against Yettinahole?”
Regarding the government’s failure to stop the sand mining, Rai said that the sand is being transported through trains and trains cannot be stopped. “An investigation will have to be conducted and those who are responsible for transporting sand to Kerala should be punished.”
Talking on the changing water levels, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that in March, both the dams were full and the water was being used for farming also. “Last year, we had very less rains; this year also the rains have been delayed. Today, the water level is above 7 ft and we will be pumping water continuously from today onwards. If the water level decreases in the coming days, we will pump it every alternative day. We expect the rains to arrive soon and the water problem will be solved. We will call for a meeting to discuss rainwater harvesting for houses which are more than 2000 sq ft.”
MLA J R Lobo, MLA Moideen Bava, ADC Kumar, DCP Law and Order Shantharaj, CEO ZP Sreevidya, MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, MCC Commissioner Dr Gopalkrishna and others were also present.
Once again, I can see some elected leaders happily smiling and posing for camera. These are the same individuals who were totally missing in swachcha mangalooru campaigns or any other meaningful works carried out by volunteers.