Mangalore: Ministers, MLAs should stop accepting felicitations - Janardhan Poojary
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (BG/VM)
Mangalore, Jul 7: "It has been over a month since the Congress government was formed, still ministers and MLAs are busy attending felicitation programmes," lamented former union minister and Congress leader Janardhan Poojary.
Addressing media persons at the district Congress office here on Saturday July 6, he warned health minister U T Khadar and MLA J R Lobo to stop the practice of accepting honours immediately.
"Instead of spending on felicitations, the money should be utilized for providing compensation to families who incurred heavy loss due to floods," advised Poojary.
He also collected a sum of Rs 1 lac from the minister, MLA and party members who were present on the occasion.
Announcing that he will donate Rs 25,000 to flood victims, Poojary asked minister U T Khadar and MLA J R Lobo to contribute too. In response, Khadar promised to give Rs 26,000 and Lobo Rs 15,000. The other Congress leaders and activists also pooled in for the cause.
"Enough of honours and felicitations to elected representatives. People are facing trouble due to floods. I will also ask chief minister Siddaramaiah to stop attending felicitation ceremonies," he added.
Commenting on the Food Security Bill, he said, “The opposition party has been opposing the Food Security Bill planned to be implemented by the state government. If this Bill is not passed in the session in the next six months, I will go on an indefinite hunger fast.”
“This Bill has been planned focusing on the nutrition aspect of the poor. But the BJP-led opposition party has been opposing this bill. This Bill was mentioned in the manifesto of the Congress Party in 2009, and it is not wrong to impose that now. And as it is in favour of the poor, no one should dare oppose it,” he added.
“None of the parties objected to the Bill when it was proposed before the standing committee. And now, with elections as the sole target, the opposition party is opposing the Bill. If the Bill becomes an Act, the poor can get the best of nutrition and thus, help in building a strong and healthy country,” he said.
Later, speaking about the theft of Thirthankara idols at Moodbidri, he said he has already visited the spot and it seems like the work of people who are quite familiar with the neighborhood. "The police are on high alert and I trust that the culprits will soon be arrested,” added Poojary.
MUDA former president Suresh Ballal, and T K Sudhir were present.