Khader calls for swift action on projects approved at Mangaluru Cabinet meet
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 28, 2026: State Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Monday said the decisions taken at the recent Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru should be followed by concrete action plans and administrative approvals without delay.
Speaking at a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, Khader said a preliminary meeting had been held with officials to identify the projects sanctioned for Dakshina Kannada and prepare the required action plans and estimates. Officials are working to finalise the proposals for submission to the government at the earliest, he said.
Khader also announced that local authorities have been delegated powers to approve single-plot layout plans measuring up to 1,000 square metres, or around 25 cents. The move is aimed at easing difficulties faced by the public in obtaining 9/11 approvals.
Depending on the jurisdiction, the approval powers will be exercised by PDOs at the gram panchayat level, chief officers at the town level and commissioners in municipal areas. Detailed guidelines will be framed by the concerned departments, he said.
On the Cabinet decision granting official language status to Tulu, Khader said guidelines would be prepared for its implementation in government administration. He said arrangements would be made to facilitate applications in Tulu through translation mechanisms, while the guidelines would specify the use of Tulu and Kannada scripts.
Regarding the proposed renaming of Mangaluru, Khader said the Cabinet had given in-principle approval and allowed one month for the public to submit their views. The final decision would take into consideration the opinions and sentiments expressed by the people, he said, adding that suggestions could be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.
Responding to questions about funding for projects announced by the government, Khader said Cabinet-approved projects would be taken forward. He said the Finance Department’s role was to review the financial implications and ensure proper allocation of funds.
Defending the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for projects such as Mangaluru Haat, Khader said the government would retain policy control, while private participation would help ensure professional operation and maintenance.
On healthcare infrastructure, Khader said the government had approved an initial expansion of 200 beds at Wenlock Hospital, with further expansion to be considered later. He stressed the need to strengthen taluk hospitals and reduce unnecessary referrals to district hospitals.
Tele-ICU facilities and a system to monitor bed availability are also being planned, he said.
Khader also highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and called for reduced salt consumption. The government was considering measures to raise awareness about excessive sodium intake and promote healthier food practices, he said.
He added that the state would raise concerns with the Centre over high medicine prices and organise a national-level conference of food and drug safety officials in Bengaluru.
On voter rights and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Khader said the Election Commission’s responsibility was not limited to removing ineligible names but also included ensuring that all eligible citizens were included in the voter lists.
He stressed that genuine voters should not lose their voting rights during the revision process and called for proper verification before any names were deleted from the electoral rolls.