'Govt is working for traders, contractors'

Addressing a press meet here on Monday, Khader said that the national highways in Kerala and Goa are being widened limiting the land acquisition to 45 meters on both sides. However, the State government and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to acquire 60 meters of land to widen the road between Nanthoor and Talappady on NH-17, despite the fact that four lane or even six lane road can be developed by acquiring 45 meters land. “It may be a part of secret agreement to handover the additional land to contractors for commercial purposes,” Khader alleged.

Water crisis

Talking about the water crisis, Khader said that the Task Force on Water Supply formed by the government lacks fund. “How can we provide water supply to 20-30 villages using government sanction of Rs 10 lakh? With this meagre amount, an MLA can provide only 6 borewells in his constituency,” he added.

‘Govt of promises’

Khader said that the BJP government is a government of empty promises. CM promised Rs 17 crore for area development during Tulu Sammelana. However, only Rs 2 crore has been released so far. Government assured Rs 5 crore for the Uroos at Ullal Dargah. But the amount was not released even after the festival, Khader said.

Public works worth Rs 38 crore were completed in Dakshina Kannada in 2009-10. However, funds were not released by the government even after the completion of works, he said adding that the government officials and engineers were forced to compromise the quality of works and will have to follow the directions of contractors.