Polls in the offing, ministers go on inaugural, foundation laying spree

MANGALURU: Even as the Election Commission is all set to announce the schedule for assembly elections, Congress ministers and MLAs are in a tearing hurry to launch and inaugurate development works in the district.
While the foundation stone was laid for an outdoor stadium at Yekkur by minister for sports and youth empowerment Pramod Madhwaraj, he also inaugurated a berth for idle fishing boats, constructed in Sultan Battery, in the presence of Mangaluru City South MLA J R Lobo. Meanwhile, the foundation stone was laid for the proposed shuttle badminton-cum-kabaddi indoor stadium of international standards, to be constructed at Urwa on Thursday.

While minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, U T Khader, inaugurated the first hobli-level Indira Gandhi canteen at Thokkottu in his constituency, minister for forest, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai participated in similar programmes in his constituency.

Pramod Madhwaraj lauded the works taken up by MLA Lobo in his speech. The minister said at a public programme held at Urwa, “You should reciprocate the works taken up by MLA J R Lobo, by backing him without considering his caste, community and religion.”

Madhwaraj said while lauding Lobo, “Your MLA has a PhD in getting government projects sanctioned through various departments. He clears all files through officials at the bottom level first, and later meets the minister concerned to get the projects sanctioned. There are only few MLAs who work honestly for the overall development of their constituencies. Lobo is one among them. He pursues not only the development of roads and bridges, but also shows interest in getting funds sanctioned for the sports sector.”

The government under Siddaramaiah, has credited honorarium to the tune of Rs 48 crore for achievers in sports and games, directly to their bank accounts. The budget allocation, which was just Rs 145 crore, has been increased to Rs 285 crore. “To promote sports in an effective manner, the government has already introduced the Karnataka State Sports Policy,” he added.

Development works

A berth for idle fishing boats constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Sultan Battery will reduce the congestion at Mangaluru fishing port in Bunder. About 50 trawler boats can be anchored at the new berth of 102 meters length, when they are not engaged in deep-sea fishing, and in the off-season. The department of sports and youth empowerment will construct an open stadium on 1.10 acres at Yekkur at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The stadium will also have a separate walking track exclusively for women. “The proposed shuttle badminton-cum-kabaddi indoor stadium to be constructed at Urwa will help promote talent in local students,” said Madhwaraj.