UPCL will not get land until local problems are smoothed

UPCL will not get land until local problems are smoothed

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, May 20, 2015:  Briefing media in Udupi, on May 19, Tuesday,  Udupi district in-charge Minister and Minister for Urban Development Vinaykumar Sorake said that UPCL Company, presently owned by Adani group, is bent upon acquiring a huge piece of agricultural land for expansion of the company.

But, the government will not allow the company to do so, until the problems caused to the local people, farmers and fishermen, are solved suitably.    He went on to rue  that the greatest achievement of the Centre was the purchasing of UPCL company by Adani, who is considered to be the right hand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for Rs 6,500 crore.

Retaliating to the remarks of MP Shobha Karandlaje that the State government’s achievement is zero, Sorake alleged that the BJP MPs were lobbying to get the IIT sanctioned for Raichur. If Shobha is concerned about the State, let her make efforts to ensure an IIT  in Udupi.

In the UPA government regime, 75 per cent grant went for the development of ports. But, after the NDA government took over, the grant has been brought down to 60 per cent.  The Central government has cut as many as Rs 3,000 crore grants to be sanctioned for the department of urban development. Altogether, the State government has been incurred a shortfall of Rs 16,000 crore, due to the Central government, he said.

Vinaykumar Sorake said in a period of two years of administration by the Congress government in the State, Udupi district is witnessing an overall development. Rs 1,002 crore has been utilised towards the development works.  Water is being supplied to farmers’ lands after 60 per cent of completion of Varahi irrigation project. Twelve crore has been released for Brahmavar sugar factory and the amount has been utilised towards the payment of arrears of labourers and liabilities with cooperative societies. Every legislative assembly has been provided with Rs 18 crore under Namma Grama Namma Rasthe scheme.

At least 32,000 Antyodaya and 1.27 lakh BPL cards have been provided to genuine beneficiaries. Rs 312 crore has been provided for drinking water and UGD works under ADB scheme.  Special attention has been given to the development of fisheries roads. The quantity of subsidy diesel has been raised to 400 litres from 300 litres. Also, the installments towards the repayment of loans by fisherwomen have been increased to 24 from 12.    He said the foundation has been laid for Science Research Centre in Belapu and the Chief Minister has assured of sanctioning a Post Graduate Research Centre.