MLC Manjunath Bhandari seeks Rs 5,000 crore special package for coastal Karnataka

Bengaluru: Ahead of the state cabinet meeting scheduled to be held in Mangaluru on September 18, MLC and KPCC working president Manjunath Bhandari has urged the government to announce a Rs 5,000 crore special package for the comprehensive development of coastal Karnataka.

Bhandari submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, seeking that a range of long-pending demands concerning Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts be included in the cabinet agenda. Responding to the memorandum, Shivakumar directed the chief secretary to examine the key proposals and take necessary action for their inclusion in the cabinet agenda.

Among the major demands are the establishment of an advanced skill development centre in Mangaluru to improve employment opportunities for coastal youth, a permanent solution to coastal erosion, and administrative approval and funding for schemes aimed at strengthening the economic condition of farmers and fishermen

Bhandari has sought:

• Upgrading the Agriculture Diploma College at Brahmavar in Udupi district and establishing an agriculture university.
• Converting the Fisheries College in Mangaluru into a separate Fisheries University.
• Establishing a Karnataka Fisheries Council for the comprehensive development of the fisheries sector.
• Setting up a modern aquapark in Mangaluru.
• Increasing compensation for families of fishermen who die during fishing operations from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
• Increasing diesel subsidy for fishing boats
• Establishing modern cold-storage facilities at major fishing harbours.
• Setting up an advanced skill development centre in Mangaluru.
• Formally allocating 356 acres to the Pilikula Development Authority and converting the authority into a board.
• Releasing the pending Rs 12.60 crore for the stalled Urban Eco Park project at Pilikula.
• Developing a Coastal Temple Tourism Corridor connecting major temples.
• Constructing a road parallel to the coastline from Talapady to Baindur.
• Identifying around 150 acres in the coastal region as a tourism zone and encouraging private investment.
• Constructing an international-standard convention centre and children’s parks.
• Providing an annual special grant of Rs 10 crore for the preservation of Yakshagana, Kambala and other folk arts.
• Approving a Rs 7-crore international-standard kabaddi stadium at the Udupi district stadium.
• Providing separate grants for comprehensive development of stadiums in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
• Establishing a Bharat Jodo Sports University at Belapu village in Udupi district.

Bhandari said the cabinet should take appropriate decisions on the proposals to ensure comprehensive development of the coastal region’s economy, fisheries, tourism, education, sports and cultural sectors.