Kasargod: Kerala CM inaugurates port, other projects; 5 hurt in roof collapse
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Feb 21: Kerala CM Oommen Chandy on Friday February 21 said that 7,500 houses will be built for poor fishermen of the coastal region.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the fisheries port at Manjeshwar Hosabettu Kadappura.
He said 500 fishermen would be benefitted by the scheme. As the cost would be a burden on the government, he said that the amount would be borrowed from Hudco.The CM assured that the port work will be completed within the next three years. Chervathur port will be inaugurated during next year, he said.
He said that 24 ports are being constructed in the state and that the government aims to provide clean drinking water to the fishermen of the coastal region.
State minister of fisheries and ports, K Babu presided over the programme. K C Joseph, minister of rural development, MP P Karunakaran, Sidco president C T Ahmed Ali, Manjeshwar MLA Abdul Razak and others were present.
K C Joseph, minister of rural development said that an Urdu academy has been started in response to a request of the minorities and Manjeshwar MLA P B Abdul Razak. He said that the government is obliged to guard the interests of minorities.
The CM also said that it is necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in procurement of milk and vegetables. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for regional dairy laboratory feed milling unit at Kumble Naikapu this morning, he said that the state is lagging behind in the production of milk and vegetables and has to depend on other states for its needs. It is necessary to give priority for their production, he said.
K C Joseph, minister for rural development presided over the programme.
Fisheries minister K Babu, MP Karunakaran, MLA P B Abdul Razak, Zilla panchayat president P P Shamala Devi, Milma president T T Gopala Kurup, and district commissioner Mohammed Sageer spoke on the occasion.
The Manjeshwar Hosabettu port is being built at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The CM then inaugurated the district planning committee office at the district commissioner office premises at 11.30 am and distributed two-wheelers under national physically challenged people's rehabilitation programme.
The CM then be laid the foundation stone for eleven houses being built for endosulfan victims. The programme was held at Badiadka Gurusadan hall. He later inaugurated St Gregorian College at Perla, and the new Vellarikundu taluk followed by opening of Nedungal Bridge. Minister of excise, Adooru Prakash was present.
Roof collapse
Five persons were injured in a mishap that took place at the programme marking the inauguration of Vellarikundu taluk.
Just as the petals were being showered from the helicopter, the metal roof on the stage collapsed, injuring five persons. Though CM Oommen Chandy and other ministers and guests were present, they escaped unhurt, it is learnt.