MLC Ivan D’Souza
Credit: DH File Photo
Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza said that a demand will be submitted to the state government to conduct a cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, focusing on the development of coastal districts. This comes in the wake of cabinet meetings already being held in Chamarajanagar, Nandi Hills, and Kalaburagi, and the next session planned in Vijayapura.
Speaking to media persons, D’Souza stated that holding a cabinet meeting in the coastal region, including Uttara and Dakshina Kannada, would help draw ministers' attention to local issues.
He said that he will raise the demand at the next Legislature session and meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make a demand in this regard.
He noted that while discussions at the state level have already occurred regarding boosting tourism in the coastal belt including Dakshina Kannada, no major tourism-related projects have been announced for the region. There is a need to promote tourism alongside the fisheries sector. The MLC said that a cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is also essential to discuss a major demand of people to rename Dakshina Kannada as ‘Mangaluru’.
“There is a consensus among political and social leaders about renaming Dakshina Kannada district as ‘Mangaluru’ district. We need to create a Brand Mangaluru as people across the world recognise the coastal district as ‘Mangaluru’," he demanded.
He stressed the need for a special package for the development of Mangalore University. Despite being declared an international airport, Mangalore Airport has not developed in line with that status. Comprehensive development is essential for the undivided districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, known as hubs of education. A cabinet meeting in Mangaluru would facilitate serious discussions on these development issues, he said.
On the issue of sand and red stone scarcity, he mentioned that a high-level meeting is being held in Bengaluru and urged the concerned ministers to take proper decisions to simplify legal procedures.