Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Sep 16: "Showing concern towards the environment, developed countries have banned kerosene; similarly Mangalore and Ullal town municipality too will be made kerosene-free," said district incharge minister B Ramanath Rai.
Addressing a press meet at the DC's office here on Tuesday September 16, he said, "We are aiming to provide LPG access to every household, and thereby make the city kerosene-free by November 1. This attempt will be the first of its kind in the state," he added.
Briefing on the scheme, DC A B Ibrahim said, "The project will cost Rs 4,000 per household. Leading banks including SCDCC Bank have come forward to provide loans to purchase gas kits. The main aim is to provide LPG connections to each house. People can pay Rs 200 as monthly installments. But to avail the loan, customers have to submit documents to the bank and have to possess a bank account."
He also said that making the city kerosene-free during Deepavali is also a part of the scheme.
"A special campaign will be organized at Lalbagh, Suratkal and Kavoor within city limits and in Ullal at the town municipal office on October 8 and 9. The second round of the campaign will be conducted on October 18 and 19. Department of food and civil supplies, gas companies and banks will also be present for the campaign. LPG services will be made available as soon as customers register themselves," he said.
Mangalore and Ullal will be announced as kerosene-free on Kannada Rajyostava on November 1.
B Ramanath Rai also added that with a view to curb elephant menace, Rs 212 crore has been approved by the cabinet and will be sanctioned in the next budget. The money will be used to build strong iron fences in areas that are prone to elephant menace.
He further informed that the process to construct Rang Mandir at Marakada village in Bondel has begun.
"The building will be situated on an area of 3.35 acres. The total cost of the structure will be Rs 24 crore and the work will be completed within two years," he said.
The building will house offices of Kannada and culture department, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Karnataka Beary Academy.
Rang Mandir will have seating arrangement for 1500 people and will also have seminar halls, an art gallery, an exhibition center and four guest houses, Rai said.