Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 15: Karnataka agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda inaugurated an interaction programme with students ‘Nanna Karnataka’ organized by National Student Union of India (NSUI), district unit at town hall here on Wednesday, March 14.
Addressing the gathering Krishna Byre Gowda said, “’Nava Karnataka’ is organised for planning the next five years’ guidelines, programmes and to present manifesto of 2020 to public.
“Youth manifesto is a part of that plan. It is better to realise the situation from ground level, rather than analyzing the situation in Bengaluru. We came here to collect the opinion from the youth to prepare a manifesto as part of upcoming political developments. It is an interaction session with students organized to express about future India, how should be a model ‘My Karnataka’, what to expect from ‘Karnataka government’ and what should be done for the youth community. After scrutinizing the report, points will be added to party manifesto.
“India has the largest youth population and our nation’s development and future depends on them. Government should be run by keeping the interests of youth in mind and should form policies to help them. Nowadays, students (youth community) are not in touch with how the government runs. If they come close, a strong nation can be build. Congress has governed five years in the state and took it on a developmental path. GDP growth rate has been increased to 8.5%. Karnataka stands first in the nation with regard to development. The youth community is seeking opportunity and there is need of job creation. Based on the government of India survey, Karnataka stand top in generating jobs.
“Congress government is pure, transparent and scandal free government. The state government has fulfilled half of the promises, which were announced in the election manifesto.
“In the concept 'Nanna Karnataka', youths can share their opinion. Students must make use of it,” he said.
As many as 18 students asked questions about problems like pathetic condition of slum areas, free education, laptop bhagya, reservation for SC and ST and poor conditions of government hostels in Udupi district.
On a query about government jobs, Byre Gowda said, “There is an open competition for appointment and the agriculture department is filling 607 vacancies. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi people are prominent in government service. Private sector is also contributing in this regard. Skilled candidates are getting jobs.
On a question about the government generating employment in small scale industries, Pramod said, “There is a shortage of government land in Udupi. SSIs should be started by private sector companies. There is need to pay extra attention in solving problems. Udupi has all the resources infrastructures to start up new industries.”
Answering to same question Byre Gowda said, “Many rules have been formed considering environment protection like CRZ, western ghats, coasts and many. Human sensitivity is also involved here. There is lack of local capital and moreover people oppose installation of plants.
When a student said that the government is giving more priority to SC and ST community than OBC in the name of reservation, Byre Gowda said, “The state government is planning to provide free education to girls up to post-graduation, those pursuing education in government colleges. It is providing bus pass for all students with discrimination of caste, class and gender. Lots of changes have taken place in 50 years. Still SC and ST children are striving to get education and are deprived of facilities. Equality is not executed in the society completely. There is need to bring them into mainstream of the society. For that reservation is necessary.”
Minister Pramod said, “According to the Constitution of India, 24.1% of total income of the nation should be used for the welfare of SCs and STs. Over 50% of the total population comprises SC and STs.
When a participant urged the government to take measures for the betterment of standard of living of slum area people, Byre Gowda said that the government is putting dedicated funds for them to provide basic facilities.
Pramod said that Rs 6,000 crore of funds is in the Labour department for the welfare of workers. They should make use of it. Awareness campaigns will be conducted through students by forming groups.
Lack of staffs in government hospitals, poor facilities in government hostels and employment generation for youths dominated the session.
Manjunath Bhandary, KPCC secretary, Shivraj More, NSUI president, M A Gafoor, chairman for minority commission, Janardan Thonse, president, district Congress and Christon D Almeida, president of district NSUI, were present in the interaction session.