Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 6: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, D K Shivakumar, said that when the Congress rises to power in the state, it will provide guarantee for the loans raised by the fishermen. He was speaking after hearing the problems faced by the fishermen at the Boloor Mogaveera Mahasabha hall at Sultan Battery on Monday July 5.

When the fish vending women explained about the problems they face when raising bank loans, Shivakumar said that once his party rises to power, the banks will not seek security of land as the government will stand as guarantor for the repayment of these loans. About the delay in release of diesel subsidy, he exuded the confidence that the BJP might release this subsidy before he reaches Bengaluru from here, as he has enough clout to give rise to jitters in the state government.

He said that it was wrong to reject permission to build houses in Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) limits, and promised to modify the CRZ rules on the lines of Goa and Kerala to facilitate poor people. He said that fishermen are a part of the unorganized workers.

Addressing a press conference, he promised to become the voice of the fishermen community, duly explaining that he has undertaken visit of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts to listen to the grievances of the fishermen who are an important part of the financial activities of this region. He said his visit is not in his capacity as a politician but as a person concerned about the fishermen's welfare.

When the issue of who would be next chief ministerial candidate from the Congress was raised he said the same will be discussed in the year 2023. About readmission of leaders who deserted the party, he said that everyone is welcome to apply, and that a committee in the party will scrutinize all such applications.

KPCC working president Dhruvanarayana, district Congress Committee president K Harish Kumar, former minister B Ramanath Rai, MLA U T Khader, former MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bava, All India Congress Committee secretaries Mohan P V, Ivan D'Souza and others were present.