Cong promises to go pro-development

Party releases manifesto for Panchayat polls in Dakshina Kannada district

“The achievement of the BJP in the last two terms of the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayats in Dakshina Kannada district is nil,” said District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai.

“The manifesto of the Congress for the ZP and TP elections in Dakshina Kannada district is pro- development,” said the minister.

Rai was speaking after releasing the manifesto for the Panchayat elections here on Monday.

He said that the Congress-led State government has fulfilled almost 85 per cent of the promises it made during the Assembly election.

“The Congress will make an effort to provide solutions to the row over Kumki rights within the framework of law. The manifesto has promised to earmark five-acre land in all the gram panchayats in the district to be distributed among poor individuals who own no land. It has also promised to give priority to make the district self-sufficient in energy consumption by giving priority to solar energy in all the households. The aim is to make the district a complete solar district,” Rai explained.

Continuing on the manifesto, the minister said that drinking water schemes will be implemented in a proper manner. “Using the knowledge of traditional water conservation system and modern technology, efforts will be made to increase the ground water table. Instead of sinking borewells to mitigate the water crisis, the multi-village schemes will be taken up in all the taluks of the district,” said Rai. 

The manifesto, he added, has assured that a permanent solution will be chalked out for the disposal of garbage in villages through environment-friendly technology in villages. “The government has already released funds to stock fodder in ‘go shaale’ in the district. This will be continued and new programmes will be chalked out for supply of fodder. Efforts will be made to declare Dakshina Kannada district free from kerosene,” he said.

“If the Congress is elected to power, we will set up value-added centres for the rubber, arecanut, cashew nuts, coconuts, fish and fruits. An expert committee will be formed to find a solution to fruit rot disease affecting arecanut. To promote rural sports talent, a playground will be developed in each gram panchayat. Efforts will also be made for the promotion of rural sports. It will also develop the existing crematoriums as well as provide public crematoriums in all gram panchayats,” he added.

“Measures will be taken by gram panchayats on the model of campus selection in colleges, to overcome unemployment in rural areas. The party will come up with schemes that will focus on empowerment of women and help the youth to become self-reliant. Special programmes will be chalked out to provide market for the products produced by the self-help groups. Model public toilets will be constructed in all the gram panchayats,” said Rai.

The manifesto has promised compensation for endosulfan victims in the district along with rehabilitation facilities. Tourism will also be promoted in the district with the participation of local people, the minister said.