“The government should not postpone the election to local bodies, by citing silly reasons. It should announce the election soon,” said Dakshina Kannada district Congress Committee President Blasius D’Souza.

Addressing a press meet here on Sunday, he said the term for local bodies has been completed.  But the government is postponing the elections citing the reason of reservation.

The reservation to the local bodies have not been prepared as per the Constitution to postpone the election, he alleged and urged the government to announce the elections at the earliest. “This will also help to solve the problems of basic facilities of the fast growing City,” he said.

Roads
Mr D’Souza said the work on the four-laning of National Highway is moving in a snail’s pace, causing inconvenience to the public. Though the Centre has released funds for the work, officials are not discharging their duties properly, he charged. The government should repair Shiradi Ghat stretch at the earliest, he said.

The passenger train service between Mangalore-Hassan should also be started immediately by solving all the defects in the security measures, he urged.

Sea erosion
There is a need to find a permanent solution to check sea erosion in the district. When the neighbouring state like Kerala could adopt a technology to prevent the sea erosion, why can’t we do? he asked.

Referring to the proposed second vented dam, Mr D’Souza said the work on the new vented dam should be started at the earliest to solve the shortage of drinking water problem in Mangalore.

He also urged the government to distribute BPL cards to the beneficiaries at the earliest.

Public meet
The DCC will organise a public meet to thank the voters for electing Mr U T Khader as the MLA in the recently held Ullal by-election on June 18 at Thokkotu junction at 4.30 pm.

The meet will be attended by KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Opposition Leader Dharam Singh and former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah among others.

‘SUPPORT PRICE FOR ARECA’
Dakshina Kannada district Congress Committee President Blasius D’Souza urged the Government to announce support price for arecanut.

“The prices of arecanut have slashed by 10-15 per cent, thereby creating a fear in the minds of areca growers,” he said and urged the government to immediately announce support price for arecanut.