Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: MLC Ivan D'Souza on Saturday July 11 said that 12,000 state government employees in Dakshina Kannada district will get 20% hike in the housing rent allowance.

Addressing a press meet here, "This is a great achievement for our district. I congratulate chief minister Siddaramaiah on the decision to give 20% hike in the housing rent allowance to state government employees, and employees of KSRTC, KPTL, Mescom, city corporation, and all aided educational institutions, KMF, MUDA, collegiate education, co-operative societies, and co-operative banks. I have tirelessly rendered all my efforts to make it a reality today, and I thank all the ministers who extended their support in this regard."

He further said, "Mangaluru city fell short of five lac population by just 768. Hence state government employees were deprived of the allowance, but the central government employees got 20% hike back in 2008. This decision has brought a smile on the faces of every state government employee. Renovation works for government quarters has been completed at Urwa Store at a cost of Rs 866.02 lac. In the entire district there are 504 government quarters and a total of Rs 959.94 lac has been spent on renovation works. I have also brought to the attention of the CM the need to renovate the police lane quarters.

"Due to my efforts the district information officers and Karnataka state information officers have been provided with vehicles for the office use," he added.

"I have requested the state to provide health insurance to media persons and Rajiv Gandhi health insurance to the family members of the press. I have also requested the state government to provide recognition and introduce new policies to web media like daijiworld and others in the district," he added. However, he did not elaborate on what these policies were.

Ashok Kumar D K, corporator, was also present.