Vinay Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister, said on Monday that he had directed the district administration to immediately hold a meeting with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) officials to start bus services in the remote areas of Kundapur taluk.
Briefing presspersons after the tri-monthly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting here, Mr. Sorake said that there was an opinion that the sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old minor near Byndoor could have been prevented if bus services had been available to the village. Hence, KSRTC would be directed to give proposals for starting bus services to remote and interior villages of the taluk.
Since monsoon season had started, the district had geared up to meet contingencies due to heavy rainfall. So far, sea erosion had been reported from places including Maravanthe, Hungarcutta and Mulloor. Boulders were being put wherever necessary to prevent sea erosion. Already the government had released Rs. 2.5 crore for calamities relief, though the district had sought Rs. 4 crore, he said
The officials of the zilla panchayat, Public Works Department and National Highway had been told to keep the storm water drains clear.
A proposal had been sent to include 18 works under the Multi-Village Scheme (MVS) in the district. Already the MVS work had been completed in Hebri and Chara villages, Mr. Sorake said.
On the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s demand on a probe on money spent on sea erosion, Mr. Sorake said that boulders were being put to prevent sea waves for decades including the period when Mr. Yeddyurappa was Chief Minister. A proposal had been sent to the Union government for the construction of permanent sea wall. “We are ready for any probe,” he said.
On the State Advisory Price (SAP) not being paid to cane growers, he said that the money had to be paid by owners of sugarcane factory to the cane growers. Nearly 70 per cent of sugarcane factory owners were leaders of BJP. “Mr. Yeddyurappa should use his good office and get them to pay it to the farmers,” he said.
On Minor Irrigation Minister Shivaraj Tangadgi’s alleged involvement in the controversy over the murder of a student, Mr. Sorake said that allegations should be backed by facts.
The government believed in transparency, he said. Gopal Poojary, Byndoor MLA, was present.
