Pics: Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Nov 8: Former MLA, Mangaluru South Constituency J R Lobo challenged MLA Vedavyas Kamath regarding various developments in city especially the false information which is given by current MLA on housing project planned at Shakthinagar.
In a press held at Congress office on Friday, November 8 J R Lobo said “MLA Vedavyas Kamath is spreading wrong information over the G+3 housing project which was approved during my tenure at Shakthinagar. In a media statement he has said that I have cheated the people. I am challenging him to prove in which context I have cheated them. I am not a person to even think about cheating,”
"During my tenure I brought the project of 1,000 houses for poor and homeless. I succeeded in getting this project approved from the urban development and found 10 acres at Shakthinagar. Five nationalized banks also came forward to associate with this project. But as per rules we cannot use more than five acres forest land for construction purpose. So forest department demanded alternative forest land from revenue department and revenue department also agreed to handover its land. At that time election was declared and as per law the proceedings of housing project stopped for a short time. But after the elections, Vedavyas Kamath was elected as MLA and till date he did not show any interest to complete this project. Even he does not have the basic knowledge of this project. Blindly he is giving statement that I have cheated the people,” he added.
"In the past two years no development works have taken place in the city. He is putting banners and getting publicity by inaugurating the projects which all were approved and completed during my tenure. On his own, he has not done anything for this city. I am telling him in a straight manner that if he cannot serve the people and develop the city, it is better to resign from his post. If I get chance a second time I will show him how to develop the city and how to do planning for new projects. Again I am demanding MLA Vedavyas Kamath to show the developmental works of his during his two years tenure and I am also ready to show what I have done during my tenure. Then people will understand who is right who is wrong,” he said.
"I am asking Vedavyas Kamath what is the current status of Smart City? How many new projects have been undertaken during his tenure? After 10 years also they cannot construct Pumpwell Flyover, they cannot find a solution for traffic at Nanthoor and they cannot run Kadri Park. When I left my chair all projects stopped and no one has taken initiative to add on something to it or complete it,” he complained.
“Congress gave 90% of contribution for the development of the city. That is why people elected its corporators for five terms. Congress knows very well how to plan the projects and implement them. We will do it and no one can stop us." Lobo concluded.
Shakunthala Shetty, former MLA, Puttur , and other district leaders were present.