DGR cites protocol violation, inaugurates projects again

Mangaluru: Minister for health and family welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated a series of development projects, including a PHC, a veterinary hospital, a municipal staff complex, a new bus terminal, and a park in Mangaladevi ward in the city, again on Saturday. Mayor Manoj Kumar, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, and corporator and former Mayor Premanand Shetty inaugurated these projects on Feb 9. However, district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao instructed the chief secretary to take action against officials who violated protocol during the inauguration of development projects.
Following this, the minister inaugurated all facilities again and said that the BJP leaders set a bad precedent by holding an unofficial inaugural ceremony without informing the district minister. "It set a poor example when they conducted an opening ceremony according to their preferences without notifying others. Since this project was funded through public money and not private investment, such divisive political tactics should have been avoided as they create discord. They should have shown the courtesy at least to inform me over a phone call. Unity in working together is essential," the minister emphasised.
"The Invest Karnataka 2025 held in Bengaluru saw the participation of Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Pralhad Joshi, and Piyush Goyal, who shared the dais with chief minister Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, and other ministers of the state," he said, adding that the event saw no petty politics. "Let us come face to face politically during the election for the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), not during govt programmes," he said, adding that he has already sought an explanation from officials for holding an inaugural ceremony violating protocol.
Masterplan for Wenlock Hospital
A team of experts will visit Mangaluru soon to prepare a masterplan to develop the Wenlock District Hospital, the minister said. "A masterplan for the comprehensive development of Wenlock Hospital will be prepared. The experts will study various requirements at the hospital. Further, the Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana, which is available in 90 taluks, will be extended to all taluks in the state," Rao said.
The PHC in Mangaladevi was a maternity hospital earlier. Since a new full-fledged building is already built, the maternity service will also commence here. Further, the govt will allow Father Muller Hospital to continue offering specialist services to the PHC, he added.