Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Nov 19: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday November 19 laid the foundation stone for the Late Lakshmi Soma Bangera maternity wing of Kundapur taluk government hospital. The 100-bed block will be set up at a cost of Rs 5 crore by G Shankar Family Trust and will be handed over to the government.
Addressing the gathering, CM Siddaramaiah said, "I have great respect for G Shankar. He has been donating huge amounts of his income to the poor and needy people. After completion of the construction work, the hospital block will be handed over to the government."
Dr G Shankar, promoter of G Shankar Family Trust said, "Siddaramaiah is a straightforward CM. He has done a lot for the betterment of backward classes. As this hospital block should not turn into a business, we are handing it over to the government after its completion."
Convention of women fish vendors
A convention of women fish vendors was also held on the occasion.
Receving petitions from women fish vendors, CM Siddaramaiah said, "There are more than one lac women fish vendors in Karnataka. I will give approval to any developmental programmes designed for the Mogaveera community. Twice I have sent proposals to the central government to include Mogaveeras in the ST category. I am an Ahinda CM and have no fear in admitting it. Our government is with the people who suffer injustice."
He also sanctioned Rs 11.72 crore towards interest of loans provided by nationalized banks to women fish vendors.
G Shankar who handed over the petitions to the CM appealed to him to provide Rs 2,000 as pension to every woman fish vendor past the age of 60, and to provide interest-free loan facility to them.
Pramod Madhwaraj, minister of fisheries and Udupi district in-charge said, "Our government has initiated the highest number of programmes for the development of the poor. The fishermen community has contributed a large part of Udupi’s development. Fisherwomen pay back cent percent of their loans without fail.
"Our CM has implemented many programmes for the development of the backward class. He is the only CM after Devraj Urs who has uplifted the backward community," he added.
"Diesel subsidy has been increased in the state budget from Rs 105 crore to Rs 257 crore. Compensation for the family of the deceased has been increased from Rs one lac to Rs 6 lac under Siddaramaiah government," he said.
Halady Shrinioivas Shetty, MLA, Kundapur, Gopal Poojary, MLA, Byndoor, Dinakar Babu, president, Udupi zilla panchayat, Meenakshi Madhav Bannaje, president, Udupi municipal council, Priyanka Mary Francis, district commisioner, Yashpal Suvarna, and Anand C Kunder were present at the function.