Addressing the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Nehru Maidan here on Sunday, he said the government has decided to provide full support to the conference with the hope that it would play a significant role in the composite growth of Tulu language, culture and the region as a whole.
Throwing light on the development scenario of the district, the minister said a total of 83 rural roads and bridges are being developed with an expenditure of Rs 106.85 crore.
Infrastructure development is prioritised in 32 villages under Suvarna Gramodaya scheme, for which Rs 19 crore is being spent. A sum of Rs 31 crore has been earmarked for developing a total of 30 villages under the same scheme in the next phase, he explained.
A sum of Rs 2.48 crore will be spent for housing facilities of 93 families in the current year. A total of 56,441 families have been enrolled under the rural employment guarantee scheme while job cards have already been distributed to 54,309 families.
A sum of Rs 81 lakh has been given to self help groups under Swarnajayanthi Swarojgar Yojna, he informed.
Palemar said Rs 1.03 crore has been spent under Bhagyalakshmi scheme (9653 beneficiaries), Rs 16 lakh under Janani Suraksha and Rs 2.32 crore for infrastructure development in the education scenario.
A sum of Rs 2.06 crore has been allotted for western ghats’ development. A total of Rs 9.98 crore has been earmarked for the overall welfare of SCs out of which Rs 2.46 crore has been spent so far. Priority has been given to the enforcement of schemes for the well being of women and children, he added.
City development
Palemar said as many as 31 roads in Mangalore are being concreted at a cost of Rs 68.86 crore. About 90 per cent of the works are over in 25 roads. Parks are also being developed with a budget of Rs 50 lakh. The Rs 106 crore drinking water scheme has already been completed while the Rs 250 crore UGD works have also been completed partially. The entire scheme will be completed by March 2010, he explained.
The government has approved Mangalore Master Plan 2021. The first phase of MSEZ is expected to provide 5,000 jobs. OMPL company will invest Rs 6500 crore at an area of 450 acres while ISPRL will invest Rs 1000 crore at an area of 100 acres.
The third phase of the MRPL (Rs 12,400 crore project) has already been commenced. A total of 2.72 lakh plants will be newly grown to reduce the effects of industrialisation, the minister said.
MLA N Yogish Bhat, Coastal Development Authority Chairman B Nagaraj Shetty, IGP (Western Range) Gopal Hosur, SP Dr A S Rao, DC V Ponnuraj and Kannada Sahitya Parishat district head Pradeep Kumar Kalkura were present.
