Media Release

Mangalore, Apr 8: The Dakshina Kannada unit of Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday April 8 presented its national manifesto and also released its local manifesto, specific to Dakshina Kannada.

The national Manifesto addresses issues related to Swaraj, education and health, economy and ecology, social justice, sports, culture and media, national security and foreign policy.

The national AAP Manifesto forms the basis of AAP Dakshina Kannada's overall set of objectives which include a number of issues that have been identified by the citizens of Dakshina Kannada.

From the entire list of initiatives and programmes, emphasis will be given to issues based on citizens' inputs received by AAP Dakshina Kannada that have been elaborated in the DK manifesto. Some of the highlights are listed below:

Make Dakshina Kannada the most prominent trade and investment hub after Bangalore:

• The top priority is jobs for the aam aadmi (common man), jobs for graduates, opportunities for small, medium and large businesses. This can only be done through development projects implemented by both private parties and the Government. However, development has to be accomplished in an environmentally responsible manner taking into consideration of the fundamental rights of the people affected.

• Agriculture, agro based industries and fisheries will be given priority in areas such as Puttur, Sullia Beltangady, Moodbidri and coastal region. We consider high growth of agriculture and allied sectors namely horticulture, animal husbandry, food processing and fisheries as a means to accelerate the growth to enable farmers and fishermen to earn higher income and ensure food security.

• Use of global technologies and innovative tools by creating enabling frameworks and state of the art infrastructural facilities in all sectors including agriculture and fisheries. Facilitation of large investments and opening up avenues for export market.

• Hygienic and modern fish handling facilities so that the small fisherman is also given a due share in the earnings. Create a local fisheries department

• Export of mangoes, watermelon, tropical fruits, vegetables and marine products (such as ornamental fish) from Mangalore airport, by encouraging storage, cold chain and transport links.

• Export of coffee, spices, cashew nuts, agarbatties etc. from Mangalore Port.

• 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU) at Ganjimutt to be made functional

• Pharma industries to be encouraged by using available local pharma educated community.

• Encourage scientific research by obtaining grants from the central government to institutions and individuals.

• Ensure local businesses are given preferences for local jobs. Small jobs for small entrepreneurs, medium jobs for medium sized companies and large jobs for large established companies.

• Single window clearance and processes for agricultural based issues preferably in a single complex.

Improve the national highways that connect DK to the north, south and various points to the east, through the most delicate and environmentally sensitive sections of the Western Ghats.

• Complete the NH 48 and 66 that runs through DK

• Improve the roads passing through Agumbe, Charmadi and Sampaje ghats

• Periodic monitoring of the condition of roads. Ensure full transparency and accountability regarding the collection of Tolls and make it justifiably reasonable.

Improve the road-rail-air-sea capability of Dakshina Kannada:

• Dakshina Kannada is currently served by three railway Divisions namely – Southern Railway, Konkan Railway and South Western Railway. We will advocate and push for a Zonal Division of the Indian Railways in Dakshina Kannada which will ensure decisions concerning Dakshina Kannada will be taken in Dakshina Kannada. We will push for double tracking of railway lines to the North (Uttara Kannada, South (Kerala) and East (Bangalore).

• The Mangalore Port has been neglected and upgrading it to handle and move cargo efficiently will bring a lot of jobs to Dakshina Kannada. This includes deepening of the access lagoon to accommodate a deep draft general cargo birth, procurement of mobile cranes, container terminal, and special purpose vehicle. Improving road and rail infrastructure to the port will facilitate rapid and efficient movement of cargo by connecting all the transportation hubs such as Port, Airport, Train and Road in an effective way. Improve container handling and transportation.

Establish a Human Resources Development (HRD) cell to:

• Improve employabilty
• Provide skills
• Compete in competitive all India level exams such as IAS, IPS etc.
• Establish effective linkages between industry, educational institutions and student community and government so that local community is benefited.

- Shelve the Niddodi and Yethinahole/Nethravathi projects. We do not want to see the mistake made at the Nagarjuna Plant repeated at Niddodi. Create a Water Body that will study and recommend water issues and oversee the implementation of their recommendation.

- There is a desperate need for affordable low cost housing for the Aam Aadmi (Micro and Mini Flats). Corruption eats way the margins of builders and they do not find it viable to build low cost housing for the Aam Aadmi. Eliminating corruption, prudent planning and Public-Private-Partnerships can make affordable housing a reality.

- Assistance for endosulfan affected individuals.

- Eliminate the control of the petrol and petrol byproducts from vested interests.

- Uplift of Malekudia, Koragas and other disadvantaged communities.

- Promote local language news papers and TV channels and obtain necessary government benefits for the same."

Aam Aadmi Party's National Manifesto  can be accessed on the web at http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/manifesto-2014