’Vision 2025’ for Dakshina Kannada discussed at DC office
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Oct 04, 2017: DK District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai inaugurated a consultative meeting with Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Tushar Girinath gave an overview of Vision 2025 concept.
Local residents from a wiede cross-section of Dakshina Kannada district on Oct 3, Tuesday listed out their priorities to see the region become comprehensively developed in the next seven years in response to the government’s call for their views to its Vision 2025. The suggestions included making the region a hub of knowledge activities, empowering the younger generation with rational thinking, assuring scientific price to agriculture produce, making urban locales liveable and bringing all government services under the Sakala ambit.
Issues were broadly classified under five themes. Eminent persons from respective fields and students were part of groups, each group having about 20 people. The groups, after detailed discussions, presented suggestions in the afternoon.
Think Tank views : The former Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jeevan Saldanha presented the overview of urban theme and said that there should be all-inclusive industrial townships. Communal harmony is a must for the overall development of the region even as strict compliance should be ensured to building by-laws.
Children should be involved in social service such as the NSS and physical activities right from school and college days, said retired professor in community development Rita Noronha, who led the group on social justice. Education has to be inclusive with gender and social sensitisation. Responding, Secretary Girinath agreed that the higher education sector lacked standardisation and the Knowledge Commission was working on it.
Special Agriculture Economic Zone, green army to address labour shortage, cold storage facility, scientific pricing for produces, value addition to jackfruit, agro-tourism, agro-fest and solar-enabled fish drying were some of the suggestions given by the group on agriculture led by Shivakumar Magada, Professor of Aquatic Biology, College of Fisheries, Mangaluru.
On the other hand, the group on industries led by industrialist Prakash Kalbavi suggested that Dakshina Kannada be made a hub of knowledge activities, including IT and ITES, by providing adequate facilities. More mega industries should come up in the region, it said and urged the government to thoroughly revamp port connectivity. The district has the potential to become the tourism gateway of the State, it said. Prajna Counselling Director Hilda Rayappan speaking for the group on governance said that Sakala should be extended to all departments. Policing should be people-friendly while law and order and investigation should be separated, she said.
The participation and awareness of common people on the development activities is vital agreed all concerned.