Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK/DV)
Mangaluru, Oct 13: Chief minister (CM) Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday October 13, visited Sri Kshetra Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara temple and offered prayers to the deity.
Later, he viewed the idols of goddess Sharada Devi and other nine avatars of goddess Durga as part of Mangaluru Dasara Mahostav, in a hall on the premises of the temple. The CM also performed 'Arati' to the idol of goddess Sharada.
Social and Backward Classes Welfare department minister Kota Srinivas poojary, Kannada and Culture and Energy minister V Sunil Kumar, MLAs Vedvyas Kamath and Dr Bharath Shetty, mayor Premananda Shetty, deputy commissioner Dr KV Rajendra, police commissioner N Shashi Kumar, MUDA chairman Ravishankar Mijar, Harikrishna Bantwal and others were present.
Speaking to the media, Bommai said, "Offering prayers to the deity in the temple, I have prayed for the welfare, peace and prosperity of the state and public. Meanwhile, I also met former union minister and veteran politician Janardhana Poojary. He is a committed politician. Especially, he has concern for the poor and downtrodden. He was close to my father. He blessed me before the deity. I inquired about his health. He told me to continue the good work for the development of the people of the state."
Speaking about changing CRZ guidelines, the CM said that a proposal has been sent to the union government urging to change CRZ norms on the model of Goa and Kerala. “We are making efforts to change the CRZ norms on Goa and Kerala models. If the CRZ norms change in a few days, this will boost tourism in the region and provide plenty of opportunities,” he said.
On the development of fisheries in the state, Bommai said that next week, he will call a maritime board meeting. “In this meeting a prominent decision will be taken concerning the fisheries port and commercial development. A DPR will be sent to the union government in which we will also include the extension of Mangaluru New Port and Karwar port,” he said.