Hangarukatte port will be developed, No proposal of tiger reserve: MP Karandlaje

Mangalore Today News Network

Uudpi, Aug 25, 2014: Speaking to media persons, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje noted that Hangarukatte port would be extended in order to lessen the freight traffic at Mangalore port. The Union Ports Minister Nitin Gadkari has deputed a central team to conduct the survey to assess the feasibility of upgrading the port. The Hangarukatte port will be developed on the lines of Gujarat ports development model, the MP added.

She also stated, the NDA government is mulling over revamping the Coffee Board following observations that the board has become weak. She said she led the coffee planters’ delegation to Union Minister to discuss the issue. Responding to the appeal, the centre has hiked the import tax of arecanut from Rs 110 to Rs 170. She demanded the government to ban import of arecanut.

‘No Tiger reserve’: The MP assured that there is no fresh proposal of tiger reserve project as such, before the government and she appealed not to politicize the issue.  “The Congress leaders are blowing the issue out of proportion. There is no proposal before NDA government and the implementation of tiger reserve project is less likely to be a reality,” she stressed.

Criticising UPA government as responsible for the petition forwarded in the Supreme Court over banning arecanut, the MP said the issue is within the purview of Supreme Court and NDA government is helpless, other than wait for the judgment.

The issue of developing the Malpe third phase port is under consideration before the centre. The fishermen delegation that met the Union Port Minister had been assured to consider their demands. A study team has arrived at the coastal districts of the State to evaluate the possibilities of relaxing the CRZ norms similar to that of Goa and Kerala. In Goa and Kerala, the CRZ norms are applicable only for 50 meters in backwater area unlike in coastal Karnataka, which is 200 meters.

Bhaghyalaxmi scheme: Expressing her dissatisfaction over the State government proposal to submit the proof of registration of the marriage of parents to avail the benefits of Bhaghyalaxmi Yojane, the MP alleged that the State government is intentionally attempting to scrap the programme, which assures financial security to girls.

The government should take stringent measures to punish the sexual violence accused, as the intensity of sexual assault cases reported in the State is on the rise. Around 15 cases were reported within one week. She ridiculed that state Home Minister still feels that the time has not arrived to introduce Criminal Amendment Bill revised in the aftermath of Delhi gang rape case. Female wardens and staff should be appointed in all girls hostels and Kittur Rani Chennamma hostels and schools. Besides, a team should be set up to monitor the hostels regularly and interact personally with female students.

The MP accused that tax collection has reached the rock bottom in the State and there were no funds released for development works. Shobha Karandlaje accused that the rice supplied under Annabhaghya Yojane is being used for the benefits of  unauthorised elements.