Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Oct 7: “The state government receives an revenue of Rs 18 to 19 crores per year through excise department. However, the government spends Rs 20 cr per annum through various departments to address adverse effects of alcohol and problems faced by alcoholics. Therefore banning of alcohol is conducive to the government," said member of Vidhana Parishat Kota Srinivasa Poojary.

He was speaking on Saturday, October 7, after inaugurating the awareness conference and felicitation programme of alcoholics who achieved sobriety. The programme was held under the aegis of Dharmastala Rural Development Project and All Karnataka Awareness Forum, Kundapur at Amrith Convention Center, Chittur.

He further said, "The topic of banning alcohol completely in the state will be presented in the vidhana parishat as per the aspirations of Dr Hegde, to draw the government’s attention to it. People should stay away from vices if love, faith, affection and friendship should grow among them. The awareness forum through de-addiction centers helps them to kick out the habits. Everybody should indulge in building the society and trying to live a life of human values. They should help children get good education and must lead a successful family life. All should join hands in the work of Dr Veerendra Hegde of building society and minds,” MLC Poojary said.

"It was not possible to provide basic facilities such as toilets, electricity and fulfill other needs in all the houses in the country even after seventy years of independence. But it is commendable that Dr D Veerendra Hegde of Dharmastala has created an amazing atmosphere in Karnataka through rural development project and other programmes of the Kshetra,” he said.

Kundapur taluk people awareness forum president B Appanna Hegde presided over the programme. Dharmastala rural development project Udupi district director Purushotham P K, Udupi district panchayat social justice committee president K Babu Shetty, and district Rajyotsava awardee Krishnamoorthi Manja Maranakatte conveyed their best wishes. All Karnataka people awareness forum project officer Thimmayya Naik provided special information about the programme.

Genetic trustee Sadashiva Shetty, Chandra Shetty of Keradi temple, proprietor of Amrith convention center Pradeep Shetty, taluk panchayat members Udaya G Poojary, Raju Devadiga, S K Vasudeva Pai, and Indira Shetty, Chittur gram panchayat president Santhosh Madival, Kollur Mookambika temple trustee Vadamballi Jayarama Shetty, Chittur forum former president Dr Atul Kumar Shetty, current president Nagappa Kothari, Navinchandra Shetty, Sathish M Nayak, Narasimha, Chittur zone president Diwaker Acharya, zonal presidents of the forum were present.

Dharmastala rural development project Byndoor project officer Shashirekha P welcomed the gathering. Kundapur project officer Muralidhar K Shetty read the report. Lalitha Acharya read the letter of appeal. Chetankumar Bellal compered the programme.