Vested interests create rumours on Kasturirangan report, says Sorake

Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said that vested interests have been creating rumours on the implementation of Kasturirangan committee report. Though the centre has almost decided on withdrawing the proposal, systematic campaign is being carried out against the administrative set up.

Speaking after inaugurating the National Consumer Day-2014 on the theme ‘Consumer empowerment – Promotion of consumer rights’ by district administration, the minister said a cabinet sub-committee has been constituted to look into the recommendations of Kasturirangan committee report. The State government has demanded 33 per cent relaxation as against the 18 per cent relaxation demand made by the Kerala government. Deliberate attempts are made to mislead the people, Sorake said.

He further said that the consumer rights are essential in a democratic set up.
The consumer had the right to know information about the product, and also get compensation if the product was of inferior quality or did not perform as promised.
The minister said that the government has decided to earmark Rs 120 crore to encounter Tsunami in the coast in future. Plans would be chalked out to make three costal district—Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada secure against Tsunami. Udupi district will receive Rs 43 crore.

The Minister said that the government will take up integrated development of tourist spots. A tourism corridor will be envisioned from Shirva to Malpe. Rs 9.92 lakh is earmarked for the development of Morarji Desai schools in the district.

Asserting that revenue adalats are held frequently to ensure disposal of pending applications, the Minister said that 10 revenue adalats are held every month.  There are about 1.30 crore RTCs in the district. The problems pertaining to the 80 per cent of RTCs have been sorted out. As many as 10,000 applications are pending in connection with survey of land. Fifty three surveyors have been appointed and measures have been initiated to dispose of the applications. 

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Deputy Director S Yogeshwar said that there are 2.15 lakh LPG connections in the district.

The LPG consumers should link their Aadhaar number with the bank account before March 31.  The subsidy amount would be directly credited to the bank accounts, he added.