Mangaluru: U T Khader announces measures on food safety, voter enrolment, Dasara and infrastructure

Mangaluru: U T Khader announces measures on food safety, voter enrolment, Dasara and infrastructure

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 3, 2026: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader on Wednesday announced a series of measures concerning food safety, voter enrolment, Dasara celebrations, infrastructure works and overseas education opportunities during a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru.

Food Safety Checks to Be Intensified

Khader said food safety inspections would be intensified across Karnataka, stressing that the objective was to protect public health and not to shut down businesses.

Following a complaint against a sweet manufacturing unit, officials conducted an inspection and ordered the temporary closure of two units. Show-cause notices have also been issued, with further action to be taken based on the responses.

Khader said the enforcement drive was not aimed at affecting businesses or livelihoods. Instead, food business operators must ensure that consumers are provided safe, unadulterated and quality food while maintaining proper hygiene standards.

The inspection drive, which has already been expanded beyond Bengaluru, will cover major cities including Mangaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru and Belagavi. All food establishments will be required to comply with prescribed standards of purity, quality and hygiene.

QR Codes for Public Grievances

Khader said the government plans to introduce a digital grievance mechanism using QR codes and barcodes at commercial establishments and public places.

Consumers will be able to scan the codes and register complaints instantly. Complaints will automatically be forwarded to the concerned department. Food-related complaints will be sent to the Food Safety Department, while complaints regarding expired or substandard medicines will be routed to the Drugs Control Department.

The complaints will also be integrated with the official State government website to facilitate systematic monitoring and ensure timely follow-up.

Displaying the QR codes or barcodes will be made mandatory at restaurants, pharmacies and other public establishments, Khader said.

He added that PG accommodations, hostels, messes and catering establishments would be required to maintain strict standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Health advisory boards carrying six to eight key health and hygiene guidelines will have to be displayed at such establishments. Khader urged PG and hostel owners to treat the health and wellbeing of residents as their responsibility and ensure that nutritious and safe food is served.

Focus on Inclusion in Voter Verification

On the second phase of voter-list verification and enrolment, Khader said he had discussed the issue with the Election Commission and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

He said officials should follow Election Commission guidelines by prioritising the inclusion of eligible voters rather than deletion and ensure that no genuine voter is left out.

“Every citizen who has attained the age of 18 should be enrolled as a voter as provided under law,” he said.

Officials will issue notices in cases involving spelling mistakes, discrepancies in names and other errors, allowing voters to make necessary corrections.

Khader also highlighted the difficulties faced by citizens living abroad who may not be able to visit local offices for voter-related procedures. He called for a uniform State-level mechanism to enable eligible non-resident citizens to exercise their voting rights without confusion.

He said door-to-door verification was being conducted in his constituency to ensure maximum enrolment of eligible voters.

Grand Dasara Planned in Mangaluru

Khader said preparations were underway for the upcoming Navaratri and Dasara celebrations in Mangaluru, with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar assuring full support for the arrangements.

He said Dasara was not merely a festival but an important celebration of Karnataka’s history, culture and traditions that should be passed on to younger generations.

Meetings have been held with legislators, officials and community representatives to finalise the celebrations.

A special one-day Yuva Dasara will be organised at Ullal during the nine-day festivities. The programme will feature cultural events, performances by renowned artists and an award ceremony honouring youngsters who have achieved success at the national or State level in sports, education and culture.

Khader said the Chief Minister had also directed the department to organise Dasara sports competitions at the taluk, district and State levels.

Khader Questions KRDL’s Capacity for Rain-Damage Works

Khader raised concerns over the allocation of rain-damage relief works to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRDL) instead of the Public Works Department (PWD).

He questioned whether KRDL had sufficient engineers, staff and technical expertise to execute and supervise large-scale infrastructure works effectively.

Concerns were also raised over the tendering and supervision of works, with allegations that contractors in some cases execute projects, prepare bills and obtain signatures without adequate direct supervision.

Khader said responsibility for road-related damage ultimately rests with the PWD and local authorities and argued that the PWD should therefore be the appropriate executing agency for road-related works.

He also questioned whether direct allocation of works to KRDL by legislators could place excessive pressure on the organisation and lead to operational inefficiencies because of limited manpower.

He suggested that the functioning of the Land Army/KRDL could be reviewed if the organisation is unable to effectively manage the workload.

On procurement procedures, Khader clarified that engineering divisions under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department (RDPR) must follow prescribed tendering rules.

As per the rules, works exceeding Rs 5 lakh require a formal public tender process. He stressed the need for strict compliance with procurement and tender procedures while executing government projects.

Study Abroad Expo on September 6

Khader also announced a government-supported Study Abroad Expo being organised under the guidance of Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash Patil and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

The expo will be held on Sunday, September 6, at Gayatri Vihar, Gate No. 4, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru.

Representatives of around 70 leading foreign universities are expected to participate. Students and parents will be able to interact directly with university representatives and obtain information on courses, fees, scholarships, admission procedures and eligibility requirements.

Khader said the initiative aims to protect students and parents from fraudulent agents and middlemen who may misguide families, recommend unsuitable institutions or impose excessive and hidden charges.

Direct interaction with universities will offer students a more transparent route to overseas education and provide information on government scholarship opportunities.

He added that participating institutions would be held accountable and that the State government could blacklist any university found to have misled or deceived students through the fair.

Khader urged students and parents across Karnataka, particularly those from the coastal region, who are planning to pursue higher education abroad, to make use of the opportunity.